LAUREL, Miss. – Sanderson Farms Inc. announced Oct. 18 that Charles W. (“Tex”) Ritter, Jr., the longest serving member of the company’s board of directors, will retire from his post when his current term ends at the 2017 annual shareholders’ meeting. Ritter has been on the board since 1988.

Charles W. "Tex" Ritter, Jr.

Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., chairman and CEO of Sanderson Farms expressed appreciation for Ritter’s contributions and loyalty.

“He has been a valued advisor to Sanderson Farms for many years, and the company has experienced tremendous success and growth under his 28 years of leadership. Not only has his advice and counsel as a board member and chairman of the Audit Committee contributed to the company’s success, but the example in leadership, integrity and honesty he provides all of us has set a tone for the entire company. Tex knew the company’s founders well, and he embodied their spirit, principles and ethics in his leadership on our board. We thank him for his service to Sanderson Farms and for his contributions to building long-term shareholder value. We will miss his good humor, keen business insight, and the historical perspective he provided as a board member. On a personal note, I will miss his wise counsel and advice, his wit and his generosity, and I wish him a long and satisfying retirement with his wife Carolyn, their children and grandchildren.”

Ritter was president and director of the Attala Company from 1967 until his retirement in 1992. He retired as a director of First M&F Corp. and Merchants and Farmers Bank in Kosciusko, Mississippi, in 2011.