Tom Hayes, who formerly served as CEO of Tyson Foods, will join Ocean Spray as its chief executive officer and president

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Tom Hayes, the incoming president and chief executive officer of Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. Image courtesy of Ocean Spray

The former president and chief executive officer of Tyson Foods, Tom Hayes, is slated to join Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. as the cooperative’s new president and chief executive officer, the company announced in a release Monday.

“Ocean Spray is a unique company – one that asks its leaders to speak the language of consumers, farmers, grocers, bankers, manufacturers and employees all at once. In Tom Hayes, we believe we have found a leader who can speak to all of these audiences and continue the transformation of this cooperative,” the chairman of Ocean Spray’s board, Peter Dhillon, said in a statement. “Tom’s expertise in supply chain management, his understanding of agriculture and the challenges faced by growers, and his decades of experience in the consumer packaged goods industry make him ideally suited to lead Ocean Spray into its second century.”

During his tenure at Tyson, Hayes rolled out a new corporate brand, purpose, global growth strategy, and sustainability efforts. He led the Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, and Ball Park brands while at the company.

“For everyone who grew up in New England, the Ocean Spray name is not just a global brand – it’s part of our culture. The heritage of the company and its 700 farmer owners is one to be celebrated and shared across the world, and I want to ensure it is protected and positioned to grow for a long time to come,” Hayes said in the release. “Joining Ocean Spray at such a pivotal moment, as it approaches its centennial, presents an extraordinary opportunity to look toward the future, tackle new challenges, and ensure that this cooperative will succeed for another hundred years.”

Prior to his time at Tyson, Hayes served as Chief Supply Chain Officer for Hillshire Brands and Sara Lee. He has also occupied leadership roles at US Foods, Conagra, and Kraft. Most recently, he was a partner at the private equity firm Entrepreneurial Equity Partners. Hayes earned a BA from the University of New Hampshire and an MBA from Northwestern University.

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Powder Bulk Solids Staff

Established in 1983, Powder & Bulk Solids (PBS) serves industries that process, handle, and package dry particulate matter, including the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical markets.

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