Pilgrim's Pride Corporation announced that its Board of Directors has approved the appointment of Jayson Penn, current President of Pilgrim's USA, to succeed Bill Lovette, who is retiring from the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Pilgrim's Pride. Lovette will remain available to provide strategic advisory services to the company through July 2020.  Penn, an accomplished executive with more than 30 years of experience. He joined Pilgrim's in March 2011 and has served as Senior Vice President of the Commercial Business Group, Executive Vice President of Sales and Operations and, most recently, as President of Pilgrim's USA.

Prior to Pilgrim's, Penn served in management positions at several leading poultry companies. He has also served on the board of directors and the executive committee of the USA Poultry and Egg Export Council and currently serves on the board and executive committee of the National Chicken Council and the board of directors of The World Poultry Foundation.