Randy Day, CEO of Perdue Farms, will retire from the company this summer. He will be succeeded by Kevin McAdams, presently the chief operating officer and president of the company.
Day will remain on the job in the coming weeks to assist McAdams in his succession training, according to a press release from Perdue Farms.
About Randy Day
Day has worked at Perdue for more than 40 years and has been the CEO since 2017.
“I have spent my entire adult career at Perdue, and I love this company. After 43 years, I would like to spend more time with my wife, our children, and our six (soon to be seven!) wonderful grandchildren. I am looking forward to mentoring and transitioning Kevin over the next few months. We are confident that Kevin possesses qualities that align with our company’s values and vision to be the most trusted name in food and agricultural products,” said Day. “It has truly been an honor to lead Perdue Farms the past six years.”
Prior to being appointed CEO, Day served as president, a role he was appointed to in 2015, and chief operating officer, a duty he assumed in 2016. Prior to being named president, he was executive vice president of supply chain.
In November 2022, Day was named vice chairman of the National Chicken Council (NCC).
Day received his bachelor of science degree in biology from Western Maryland College, earned a master’s degree in poultry nutrition from the University of Maryland-College Park and completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School.
“Randy has been instrumental to some of our company’s biggest initiatives in both agribusiness and food production and will be instrumental in the CEO succession plan as well. I am incredibly grateful to Randy for his more than 40 years of service at Perdue, especially for his leadership as CEO since 2017,” said Jim Perdue, Chairman of Perdue Farms. “His guidance was invaluable as we navigated the unprecedented and challenging COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”
About Kevin McAdams
McAdams joined Perdue in July of 2022. He has nearly 30 years of experience as a successful and trusted leader in the food and beverage industry with a proven track record of achieving profitable, sustainable growth and driving operational excellence. Prior to Perdue Farms, McAdams was President, North America (NA) of Jack Links protein snacks, a privately held, family-owned company. His previous senior positions include President, Schwan’s Consumer Brands, and President and COO of Pabst Brewing Company. Earlier in his career, he held operating roles with Mizkan, Red Bull North America, The Coca-Cola Company, and PepsiCo/Frito-Lay.
McAdams graduated from Iowa State University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.
“I am honored to be succeeding Randy as CEO of Perdue Farms,” said McAdams. “Perdue boasts an unmatched, committed team of associates and strong network of family farmers who are integral to the company’s ability to produce high-quality products that are trusted and recognized by consumers and customers nationwide. I am excited to lead this company in its second century of success.”
