The Poultry Federation (TPF) presented James Smith of Simmons Foods with the 2017 Industry Leader of the Year Award at the 58th Annual Poultry Festival held June 16-17 in Rogers, Arkansas.
Smith is the senior vice president of live operations for Simmons Foods in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He has been with Simmons Foods for nearly twelve years. Prior to his work with Simmons Foods he was with Tyson Foods.
Smith also serves on the TPF Board of Directors as chairman. Simmons Foods has been a member of TPF for six years.
“James Smith has been a huge contributor to the TPF Board of Directors as well as to the industry. His leadership as Chairman of the TPF Board of Directors has served our foundation well throughout 2016-2017,” stated TPF President Marvin Childers. “The most remarkable trait Smith possesses is that he does so much with the greatest willingness and demeanor that you could ask for.”
Smith graduated from Arkansas Tech University in Russellville, Arkansas with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Agriculture Business. He and his wife Barbara reside in Fayetteville, Arkansas. They have two sons, Jason and Jaret, and three grandchildren, Kayden, Carter and Noah.
The Industry Leader of the Year Award is presented by TPF beginning in 1955 to recognize the outstanding achievements of poultry and egg business executives as well as their contributions to the industry. The 2018 award was presented Childers and Todd Simmons, CEO and vice chairman of Simmons Foods.
The Poultry Federation is a trade association representing the poultry and egg industry in Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas. The federation promotes and protects the interests of the industry and provides a unified voice for governmental affairs. The Poultry Federation is based in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has operational offices in Jefferson City, Missouri, and Oklahoma City
