NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Paul Downes was named the new chief executive officer of Mountaire Farms Inc., announced Ronald Cameron, chairman of Mountaire Corp.

Downes succeeds Dave Pogge, who will remain a board member of Mountaire Corp. Downes has worked for the company for more than 34 years, most recently as chief operating officer and previously as vice president of live operations, according to the company.

Mountaire Farms Inc. is a vertically integrated poultry processing company with more than 6,500 employees in Delaware, Maryland and North Carolina. The company’s product portfolio includes fresh chicken products sold into the retail, industrial, foodservice, and export supply chains.