CLAXTON, Ga. – Mikell R. Fries was named president of Claxton Poultry Farms effective March 1, The Claxton Enterprise reported. He succeeds Jerry Lane, who was named senior advisor to Mikell Fries and Doris S. Fries, CEO and chairman of the company.

Before his promotion, Mikell Fries was executive vice president of sales and marketing. He is the grandson of company founder Norman W. Fries.