OAKWOOD, GA. — Poultry processor Wayne-Sanderson Farms announced its succession plan where Kevin McDaniel will become the company’s new president and chief executive officer on April 1, 2025.

Clint Rivers, the current president and CEO, plans to retire on March 31, 2025. 

“I am honored that the board has selected me to succeed Clint as president and chief executive officer and want to thank him for his years of outstanding service to Wayne-Sanderson Farms,” McDaniel said in the recent announcement. “I am excited for the bright future ahead for our organization, as we strive to achieve our vision of being the amazing poultry company, recognized as the partner of choice by our customers, coworkers, farmers and communities.”

Rivers will continue work as executive chairman of the board for Wayne-Sanderson Farms through the upcoming 2026 fiscal year.

McDaniel currently serves as chief operating officer for Wayne-Sanderson Farms. Before the promotion to COO in 2021, McDaniel worked as senior director of fresh operations and vice president and general manager of the fresh business unit at the company.

In more than three decades of industry experience McDaniel also previously served as president of Aviagen North America along with senior roles with OK Foods and Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. He currently sits on the board of directors for both the National Chicken Council and US Poultry & Egg Association. 

Following the merger of Wayne Farms and Sanderson Farms in 2022, Rivers played a crucial role in guiding the newly created company which became the third-largest poultry producer in the United States.

He first joined Wayne Farms in 2012 as vice president and general manager of the fresh business unit. After that, Rivers served as the COO in 2014, president and executive officer in 2017, and board chairman in 2018.

“I am deeply grateful for the incredible journey I have had with Wayne-Sanderson Farms, and it has been a privilege to work alongside such a talented and dedicated team,” Rivers said. “I am very proud of what we have accomplished together over the last 12 years. While I am retiring from my role as president and chief executive officer, I am excited to continue serving on the Board of Directors and supporting the company’s continued success.”

Rivers praised the decision to name McDaniel his successor at the poultry company.

“Having worked closely with Kevin over the last several years, I am confident that he is the perfect choice to lead Wayne-Sanderson Farms into this next chapter,” Rivers said. “He brings a wealth of experience and vision to the role, and I look forward to supporting him through this transition.”

Wayne-Sanderson Farms employs 26,000 people and owns and operates 23 processing plants in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas.