Pilgrim's Pride Corporation has announced that its board of directors has appointed William W. Lovette as president and chief executive officer of the company, effective 3 January 2011. Mr Lovette succeeds Don Jackson, who is resigning from the company effective 2 January 2011, in order to assume the position of president and chief executive officer of JBS USA, which is majority owner of Pilgrim's. Mr Lovette will report directly to Mr Jackson, who will continue to serve on Pilgrim's board of directors. In his new role, Mr Jackson will continue reporting to Wesley M. Batista, who will remain as chairman of Pilgrim's and JBS USA Holdings, Inc.

Mr Lovette, 50, brings more than 27 years of industry leadership experience to Pilgrim's. Since 2008, he has served as president and COO of Case Foods, Inc. Before joining Case, Mr Lovette spent 25 years with Tyson Foods in various roles in senior management, including President of its International Business Unit, President of its Foodservice Business Unit and Sr. Group Vice President of Poultry and Prepared Foods. While at Tyson Foods, he served on the boards of Tyson de Mexico, Cobb-Vantress, Inc. and EFS Network, Inc.

Mr Jackson commented: "Bill is exceptionally qualified to lead Pilgrim's and our 41,000 employees to even greater success in the years ahead. He brings a tremendous breadth of industry experience and a proven track record of success to this role. He has a deep knowledge of the poultry business and the market environment, and we believe that he will lead Pilgrim's to continued growth and profitability."