SPRINGDALE, Ark. (October 2009)—The National Chicken Council (NCC) and its membership recently elected Bernard Leonard, group vice president/Food Service, Tyson Foods, Inc., as  vice chairman of the organization’s Executive Committee   Leonard will serve a one-year term.

Leonard joined Tyson Foods in 1998 when it acquired Hudson Foods, where he was vice president of broiler sales and operations.  He has held numerous management positions at Tyson, including vice president of operations as well as senior vice president of  sales  He was selected to lead Tyson  Food Service in November 2006. 

Since beginning his poultry industry career in 1975, Leonard has served in various positions with industry associations.  He is a former member of the board and executive committee of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association.  He spent 12 years on the board of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, serving as an officer for four years culminating with a term as chairman in 1999.  He joined the NCC Board of Directors in June 2007 and was elected to the Executive Committee in February 2008.

Donnie Smith, senior group vice president Poultry & Prepared Foods for Tyson was elected to serve on the NCC Board of Directors for a three-year term.

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About The National Chicken Council

The National Chicken Council represents integrated chicken producer-processors, the companies that produce, process and market chickens.  Member companies of NCC account for approximately 95 percent of the chicken sold in the United States.