Oakwood, Georgia-based Wayne-Sanderson Farms has announced that COO Kevin McDaniel will succeed President and CEO Clint Rivers, who is retiring at the end of the company’s fiscal year on March 31.
McDaniel, who will assume his new role April 1, served the company as senior director of fresh operations and as VP and general manager of the fresh business unit before being promoted to his current role in early 2021.
Rivers will continue to serve as executive chairman of the board for Wayne-Sanderson Farms for the 2026 fiscal year.
Rivers’ retirement follows a successful tenure marked by strategic leadership that has played a crucial role in positioning Wayne-Sanderson Farms as the third-largest poultry producer in the nation, following the merger of Wayne Farms and Sanderson Farms in 2022.
Rivers joined the company in 2012 as VP and general manager of the fresh business unit. He was named COO in 2014, president and CEO in 2017 and chairman of the board in 2018.
“I am deeply grateful for the incredible journey I have had with Wayne-Sanderson Farms, and it has been a privilege to work alongside such a talented and dedicated team. I am very proud of what we have accomplished together over the last 12 years,” Rivers said.
“While I am retiring from my role as president and CEO, I am excited to continue serving on the board of directors and supporting the company’s continued success.”
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With more than three decades of industry experience, McDaniel previously served as president of Aviagen North America, has held senior roles with OK Foods and Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. and sits on the board of directors for the National Chicken Council and U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
“Having worked closely with Kevin over the last several years, I am confident that he is the perfect choice to lead Wayne-Sanderson Farms into this next chapter. He brings a wealth of experience and vision to the role, and I look forward to supporting him through this transition,” Rivers said.
McDaniel said he was honored to be selected to succeed Rivers and thanked him for his “years of outstanding service” to Wayne-Sanderson Farms.
“I am excited for the bright future ahead for our organization, as we strive to achieve our vision of being the amazing poultry company, recognized as the partner of choice by our customers, coworkers, farmers and communities,” he said.
