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PRESIDENT AND CEO, SMITHFIELD FOODS INC., SMITHFIELD
PRESIDENT AND CEO, SMITHFIELD FOODS INC., SMITHFIELD
Virginia Business// August 29, 2022//
Smith’s first year as CEO of Smithfield Foods has been busy and filled with challenges. He took his post a few days after the company, the world’s largest pork product manufacturer and hog producer, announced it would stop slaughtering pigs in Smithfield, its hometown. He also scheduled the closing of Smithfield’s operations in Vernon, California.
Smith also oversees Smithfield BioScience, which made news by announcing in March a partnership to produce Nerve Tape, a medical device composed of decellularized porcine small intestinal submucosa, allowing for suture-less nerve repairs.
A subsidiary of Hong Kong-based WH Group, Smithfield Foods’ sales totaled nearly $18 billion in 2021.
Smith grew up on his family’s farm in eastern North Carolina. After graduating from the University of Mount Olive and earning an MBA from William & Mary, he began his career at Smithfield in 2003 as a financial analyst. Smith later spent several years in leadership roles in Smithfield’s European operations.
BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Bourbon
HOBBY: I’m an outdoors person, so fishing and hunting are at the top of the list.
