SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. – Joel Sappenfield, a 25-year veteran of Tyson Foods Inc., will be the next president of Cobb-Vantress, a leading poultry breeding company. He will succeed Jerry Moye who is retiring in 2017.

Joel Sappenfield, president of Cobb-Vantress

Sappenfield, who will join Cobb-Vantress in June, currently is senior vice president of Bakery for Springfield, Arkansas-based Tyson. He spent one year as a commodity broker in Oklahoma City before going to work at Tyson’s Berryville, Arkansas, complex in 1990. He advanced through the management ranks while working at Tyson poultry operations in Sedalia, Missouri, and Dardanelle, Arkansas. He was named director of poultry sales in 2000 and later was promoted to vice president of poultry and prepared food sales.

“We’re excited to have Joel join our team.  He brings more than 20 years of poultry experience to Cobb,” Moye said. “Since 1990 he has served in numerous poultry leadership roles in Tyson Foods.  His work ethic, commitment and values make him well suited to lead Cobb into our second century.”

Sappenfield holds a Bachelor of Science in finance from Southwestern Oklahoma State Univ.