Paul Downes, former Mountaire Farms president and CEO, was honored by the Sussex County Farm Bureau (SCFB) in Sussex County, Delaware, with the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award.
He was recognized at the SCFB annual banquet, held October 5 in Millsboro.
Downes’ career in agriculture began in 1978 when he joined Mountaire Farms, then known as Delaire Farms, as a flock supervisor. Over the years, he advanced within the company, holding roles such as grain and ingredient buyer, feed quality control manager, assistant live production manager, vice president of live operations, chief operating officer, and ultimately, president and CEO.
Under Downes’ leadership, Mountaire expanded from one processing plant to four and added ten grain elevators, according to Delaware Farm Bureau. He was also instrumental in the growth of the Thanksgiving for Thousands program. In 2017, Downes received the J. Frank Gordy, Sr. Delmarva Distinguished Citizen Award from the Delmarva Poultry Industry, now known as the Delmarva Chicken Association (DCA).
He retired in 2018.
Upon receiving the Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, Downes said: “This is special for me because it’s Sussex County, and I was born and raised in Laurel, Delaware … Sussex County is who we are.” He added, “I’m proud of my family and what we have accomplished together … it’s all I have ever dreamed of.”
