New CEO at Butterball

Butterball has named Kerry Doughty as the company's president and CEO.



"Butterball will benefit from Kerry's leadership, vision and passion for customers and associates as he steps into his new role as president and CEO," said Walter Pelletier, president of Maxwell Farms, which shares equal ownership of Butterball with Seaboard Corporation. "Butterball has a strong legacy of providing quality, great tasting products that families enjoy every day, and Kerry is committed to that tradition."



"Kerry is an excellent selection for this role," said Steven Bresky, president and CEO of Seaboard Corp. "His experience, passion, customer focus and strategic leadership will drive the Butterball organization to continued success."



Doughty joined Butterball in 2007 as EVP of sales, marketing and innovation. In his role as EVP, Doughty held responsibility for Butterball's domestic and international retail and food service customer relationships, oversaw all marketing and public relations initiatives and led new product and innovation development. Prior to his seven years with Butterball, Doughty served for more than 25 years in customer service, sales and brand marketing roles of increasing responsibility, including leadership positions with large consumer brands such as Perdue Farms, Hardee's and Wilson Foods.



"I'm honored to serve as Butterball's next president and CEO," said Doughty. "My predecessor was extremely successful in establishing operational efficiencies and a solid, integrated business plan that I truly respect and plan to maintain. Moving forward, I hope to build on that foundation and position our innovation and customer needs at the forefront of Butterball's business initiatives."



The company said that responsibilities associated with the EVP position will be assigned in short order to ensure a “smooth and seamless transition.”



Doughty succeeds Rod Brenneman, who — according to the company — has fulfilled his three-year commitment to develop Butterball's long-term vision for the organization. “During his time with Butterball, Brenneman made a positive impact upon the company and leaves Butterball as a more integrated and efficient organization that is well positioned for continued growth and profitability well into the future,” the company said in a statement.



"I am very proud of what we successfully built during my time with Butterball, and perhaps most proud of the outstanding team we've assembled — a team which is second to none," said Brenneman. "I'm humbled and grateful for the opportunities we've had over the last three years, and am confident Kerry will continue to lead Butterball on the right path during the months and years ahead."



Headquartered in Garner, N.C., Butterball is the largest producer of turkey products in the U.S. — producing more than 1 billion pounds of turkey each year. For more than 50 years, the company has provided foodservice and retail products to customers and consumers around the world. Butterball products are currently distributed throughout the U.S. and in more than 30 countries. Butterball operates six processing plants located in North Carolina, Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois.