# Donnie King

> Donnie King is a Tyson Foods director and its former president and CEO, a role he held from June 2021 to October 2026. Starting in poultry production in Pine Bluff in 1982, he progressed through plant, logistics, North American and international leadership, returned to Tyson in 2019 after leaving in 2017, and later oversaw investment, restructuring and an improvement in operating results.

- **Role:** Director at Tyson Foods
- **Organizations:** Tyson Foods, Valmac Industries, National Chicken Council, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree in business management, University of Arkansas at Monticello
- **Known for:** Progressed from hourly poultry production to Tyson Foods president and CEO., Led North American operations across poultry, beef, pork and prepared foods., Returned to lead international operations during integration of Keystone Foods.

## Career timeline

- **1982** — Began as an hourly poultry employee in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, initially employed by Valmac Industries.
- **1984** — Valmac Industries was acquired by Tyson Foods.
- **2010** — Named senior group vice president of Poultry and Prepared Foods.
- **2014** — Served as president, North American Operations and Foodservice.
- **2015–2016** — Served as president, North American Operations.
- **2017** — Left Tyson Foods.
- **2019** — Returned in January as group president, International; also held chief administration responsibilities.
- **2020-09** — Named group president, Poultry.
- **2021-02** — Became chief operating officer.
- **2021-06** — Named president and CEO on June 2.
- **2022-02** — Elected to Tyson Foods’ board of directors.
- **2026-10** — Succeeded as president and CEO by Jeff Schomburger, effective October 4; remained a director.

## Achievements

- Progressed from hourly poultry production to Tyson Foods president and CEO.
- Led North American operations across poultry, beef, pork and prepared foods.
- Returned to lead international operations during integration of Keystone Foods.
- As CEO, oversaw fiscal 2024 GAAP operating income of $1.409 billion, following a $395 million operating loss in fiscal 2023.
- Oversaw opening of Tyson’s $300 million Danville fully cooked poultry facility in 2023.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Jeff Schomburger succeeded King as Tyson Foods president and CEO on October 4. King continues on the board.
- **2026-09** — Appeared in episode 9 of Shared Table with Elanco CEO Jeff Simmons, discussing his career and the food business.
- **2026-05** — Tyson announced the succession plan on May 28, with a transition period beginning in July.

## Links

- Website: https://www.tysonfoods.com/who-we-are/our-people/leadership/donnie-king
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnie-king-760878166/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/donnie-king
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21