Springdale, AR, June 1, 2009 -- –Archie Schaffer, executive vice president, corporate affairs at Tyson Foods, Inc., today announced that Chuck Penry will become Tyson’s new vice president, federal governmental relations in the company’s Washington, D.C. office next month. Penry, currently legislative director, government relations for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, replaces Sara Lilygren, who becomes Tyson’s new senior vice president, external relations later this month in Springdale, AR.
“We are delighted to welcome Chuck to our team,” Schaffer said. “His experience in agriculture and in government relations makes him a terrific addition to our already accomplished Washington, D.C. office.”
For the past 15 years, Penry has lobbied on behalf of the nation’s rural electric cooperatives. Prior to that, he served on the Senate Agriculture Committee staff on behalf of Alabama Senator Howell Heflin (D). He also served on the Senator’s personal staff for several years. Early in his career, Penry worked for Albert McDonald, Alabama’s Commissioner of Agriculture. Penry earned his B.S. in agricultural economics from Auburn University.
Schaffer also announced the previous promotions of two additional Tyson team members in the Washington, D.C. office. Todd Menotti, former director, federal governmental relations, is now senior director, federal governmental relations. And Nora Venegas, former manager, federal governmental relations, is now director, federal governmental relations. Both promotions were effective earlier this year.
“Both Todd and Nora have demonstrated talent and initiative to make the Tyson federal government relations office a great success. We are proud to have them on our team,” Schaffer said.
Todd Menotti joined Tyson’s Washington, D.C. office in May 2005. He manages energy, tax, environment and trade issues for Tyson. Prior to joining the company, he was legislative assistant to Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) with responsibility for agriculture, trade and labor matters. Before his Senate job, Menotti was deputy assistant secretary for legislative affairs at the U.S. Department of Commerce. From 1993-96 he worked for Sen. David Pryor (D-AR) as a member of Pryor’s Committee on Governmental Affairs subcommittee staff. Menotti earned his B.A. in history from Hendrix College in Conway, AR. He earned his M.A. in international affairs from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce at the University of Kentucky.
Nora Venegas joined Tyson’s Washington, D.C. office in December 2002. She manages labor, immigration, healthcare and nutrition issues for Tyson. Previously she worked in the Washington, D.C. government relations office of SBC Communications, now a part of AT&T. Earlier in her career she served as a fundraiser and board of directors’ liaison for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington, D.C. She began her career as a middle school math teacher in Rio Grande City and in Corpus Christi, TX. A native of Texas, Venegas earned her B.A. at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, TX. She currently serves on the Women’s Commission for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). She speaks fluent Spanish.
Tyson Foods, Inc., founded in 1935 with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is the world’s largest processor and marketer of chicken, beef and pork, the second-largest food production company in the Fortune 500 and a member of the S&P 500. The company produces a wide variety of protein-based and prepared food products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves. Tyson provides products and service to customers throughout the United States and more than 90 countries. The company has approximately 107,000 Team Members employed at more than 300 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.
Contact: Gary Mickelson 479-290-6111 or gary.mickelson@tyson.com