Sanderson Farms : Announces Management Team for New Tyler, Texas Production Division

LAUREL, Miss. - October 5, 2017 - Sanderson Farms, Inc. has recently announced its top management team for the company's new Tyler, Texas production division. This division of Sanderson Farms' new poultry complex in Tyler will be responsible for live production operations.

The top management position at Sanderson Farms' new Tyler, Texas production division was announced as Ashley Fontenot, who was promoted to Division Manager after working within the company's live production side of the business for more than 11 years. She began her career with Sanderson Farms in 2006 as a Broiler Supervisor at Sanderson Farms' McComb, Mississippi production division.

Throughout her tenure with the company, she has held the positions of Broiler Manager, Advanced Trainee II and Production Manager. A graduate of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Fontenot earned a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in Animal Science.

Other management announcements regarding Sanderson Farms' new Tyler, Texas production division include Chris Batte being named Production Manager. As Production Manager, Batte will provide leadership in the management and administration of the Tyler, Texas production division.

In Batte's 24-year tenure with Sanderson Farms, he has held various positions throughout the live production side of the business including Pullet Supervisor, Breeder Supervisor, Hatchery Superintendent, Production Manager, Division Manager and Breeder-Hatchery Manager. A graduate of Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, Batte earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Poultry Science.

In addition to Fontenot and Batte's promotions, Stuart 'Mike' Peoples has been named Breeder-Hatchery Manager at the company's Tyler, Texas production division. Peoples will provide leadership and supervise the production of hatching eggs and chicks along with directing strategic operational plans for hatching eggs and chick production.

Since joining Sanderson Farms in 2012, Peoples has held the positions of Beginning Trainee, Breeder Flock Supervisor and, most recently, Advanced Trainee II. A graduate of North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, Peoples earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business.

Rounding out the top management team at Sanderson Farms' new Tyler, Texas production division is newly-named Broiler Manager, James 'J.W.' Foster. Foster began his career with Sanderson Farms in 2013 at the company's Waco, Texas production division.

Since joining the company, Foster has held the positions of Egg Supervisor, Broiler Flock Supervisor, Breeder Flock Supervisor and, most recently, Advanced Trainee. He is a graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness.

'I am confident that the team we have identified for our new Tyler, Texas location will strive to lead this start-up operation towards success,' said Randy Pettus, Director of Production for Sanderson Farms. 'Each of these managers has dedicated their careers to being the best that we can be in live production at Sanderson Farms, and I trust that they will continue striving for excellence in their new roles in Tyler, Texas.'

Sanderson Farms, Inc., founded in 1947, is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items. Employing more than 14,000 employees in operations spanning five states and 16 different communities, Sanderson Farms is the third largest poultry producer in the United States. As a company, Sanderson Farms is committed to adopting a fresh approach in everything that they do. Not only where products are concerned, but companywide as well. Though the company has grown in size, it still adheres to the same hometown values of honesty, integrity and innovation that were established when the Sanderson family founded the company back in 1947.