ATLANTA — The Workhorse of the Year award — the US Poultry & Egg Association’s (USPOULTRY) most prestigious award — was presented to Tom Hensley, president of Fieldale Farms, during the International Poultry Expo, which is part of the 2024 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE).

The annual award recognizes an individual’s dedicated service and valuable leadership in relation to USPOULTRY and the poultry industry as a whole.

“Tom’s commitment to service and giving to others has greatly aided USPOULTRY and the Foundation,” said Nath Morris, president of USPOULTRY. “I have been fortunate to work with him for many years and directly benefitted from his knowledge.”

Hensley was “collared” with the long-established horse collar by 2023 Workhorse of the Year recipient Greg Hinton, vice president of sales for Rose Acre Farms and past USPOULTRY chair. Hensley was also presented with a commemorative plaque.

“It is truly an honor to bestow this prestigious award to Tom for his long-time service to both the US poultry and egg industry and USPOULTRY,” said Jarod Morrison, chief financial officer for Farbest Foods, and outgoing USPOULTRY chair. “His contributions to the association and the USPOULTRY Foundation have helped the organization to prosper and grow through his guidance and input.”

Hensley has been with Fieldale Farms for the past 45 years. In addition to being president of the company, he serves as a member of Fieldale Farms Corp. board of directors.

Hensley currently serves as past chair of the National Chicken Council and a life member of the Georgia Poultry Federation. He also serves on various charitable organization boards, where he has been both active and recognized for his service.

Before joining Fieldale Farms, Hensley was a tax manager at Price Waterhouse & Co.

Throughout his time in the poultry industry, Hensley has been active in USPOULTRY. He served as chair of the USPOULTRY board of directors in 2018 and chair of the USPOULTRY Foundation in 2019. In total, Hensley has served on the board for 13 years.

A native of West Virginia, Hensley graduated with a degree in business from Marshall University.