Aviagen Modifies Management Structure - UK - Aviagen, the world's leading poultry breeding company, announced that it has named Randall Ennis as chief operation officer for Aviagen and Chris Hill as the chief operation officer for the turkey and hatching egg division of Aviagen Group.

In their new roles, Ennis will be responsible for all chicken breeding operations globally and will become a member of the Aviagen Group Board, while Hill will be responsible for Nicholas Turkeys, B.U.T., and CWT at the board level.

Ennis joined Aviagen in 1995, serving as president of Aviagen North America for the past five years. Hill, who will retain responsibility for group finance and I.T., has been with Aviagen for almost 20 years. Both men will continue to be based in the Huntsville, Alabama corporate office.

In addition to these changes, Ben Thompson has assumed the position of president of Aviagen North America to replace Ennis and will have responsibility for all North American operations. Since joining Aviagen in 2002, Thompson served as vice president of sales and marketing where he directed all sales, marketing and technical support in the USA and Canada. As president, Thompson will join the executive management board for Aviagen.

Ben Thompson, Bob Dobbie, president of international business and Peter Page, group vice president for Aviagen Europe, will now report to Randall Ennis as part of the new management structure. Jihad Douglas, president of Nicholas Turkeys, Martin Shea, managing director of B.U.T., and Cees Boudewijn, president of CWT will report directly to Chris Hill.

"I am excited about these new changes in our management structure," said Ian Panton, Aviagen Group CEO. "Aviagen Group's chicken and turkey breeding operations continue to grow, both by acquisition and expanding sales. This new structure will help to ensure our future success and the success of our customers as we remain focused on delivering the best quality service and products to the market."

Source: Aviagen - 1st March 2006