Tyson Foods has announced that Jeffrey K. Schomburger has been named president and chief executive officer, effective October 4, 2026. Following a period of transition beginning in July, he will succeed Donnie King, who has had a 43-year career with the Springdale, Arkansas, USA-headquartered company, which ranks as the world’s second-largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork products, and is the largest meat company in America.
Schomburger has been a member of the Tyson Foods board of directors since 2016, providing him with a strong understanding of operations and strategy. He brings deep customer and consumer brand experience to his new role, having held multiple senior leadership positions throughout his 35-year tenure at Procter & Gamble, retiring as its global sales officer in 2019.
“The board and I are confident in Jeff Schomburger’s ability to lead Tyson Foods into its next chapter of growth,” said Chairman John H. Tyson. “His experience will help us accelerate our strategic priorities and unlock new ways to win with customers and consumers – a key focus of our growth strategy. The board looks forward to working with Jeff to drive sustainable growth, enhance shareholder value, and build on the strong momentum Tyson Foods has established.”
“I am honored to step into this leadership role and committed to building on the exceptional foundation and legacy of Tyson Foods. I’m energized by the opportunity to strengthen our iconic brands with superior products, capitalize on emerging opportunities through AI acceleration, and continue to win with customers and consumers,” said Schomburger.
Donnie King will remain on the board of directors and work closely with Schomburger to ensure a smooth leadership transition over the next several months. During his tenure as chief executive officer King successfully led the company through the Covid-19 pandemic, and improved execution across the business to substantially grow profit and strengthen the balance sheet. He enhanced the company’s strategic direction by accelerating innovation and driving significant efficiency.
