Food manufacturing
10 meat processing operations experts
These ten professionals have run meat and poultry processing operations as plant leaders, general managers and operations executives. A reader can learn how meat processing leaders run plant operations, food safety and yield.
Professionals to explore
01—10Chidel Taylor
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Operations · Calumet Diversified Meats
Vice President, Operations at Calumet Diversified Meats since 2011, the only role the listing shows for this person. The profile describes serving as SQF practitioner, responsible for developing, administering and maintaining applicable food safety programs and policies.
Chuck Lamb
LinkedInExperience: General Manager-Beef · JBS
Former General Manager-Beef (2011–2013) and Operations Manager - Beef Fabrication (2009–2011) at JBS. The profile says the general manager role covered safety, plant operations, quality assurance, food safety, maintenance, shipping and HR at a Grand Island plant slaughtering 5400 head of fat cattle per day, and cites yield gains of $24 per head on fabrication.
Craig Pugh
LinkedInExperience: Vice President Operations · J.H. Routh Packing Company
Former Vice President Operations at J.H. Routh Packing Company (2020–2023), a role the profile says covered maximizing plant performance, developing a strong safety culture and improving associate retention. Former Director Of Operations ( further processing Harvest plant) (2013–2020) and Deboning 2nd processing manager (2009–2013) at Perdue Farms. Director at Perdue Foods since 2024.
Dan Stein
LinkedInExperience: Director of Plant Operations · Northern Pride Inc. (NPI)
Director of Plant Operations at Northern Pride Inc. (NPI) since 2024, a role the profile describes as leading plant operations at the company's turkey slaughter operation and its further processing facility. Former Director of Operations at Perdue Farms, listed as two rows (2013–2017 and 2017–2024), and former Plant Manager at Farmer Focus (2024).
Jon Surman
LinkedInExperience: General Manager · National Beef Packing Company LLC
General Manager at National Beef Packing Company LLC since 2019. The profile describes 20 years in the beef industry and current responsibility for the daily operations and overall leadership of more than 800 employees at Iowa Premium, a National Beef company in Tama, Iowa. Former Vice President Operations at KANE BEEF (2014–2016).
Ladislav Lieskovan
LinkedInExperience: General Manager · JBS USA
General Manager at JBS USA since 2025, a role the profile describes as leading manufacturing operations with a focus on yield optimization, food safety and operational efficiency. Former Plant Manager at Mountain Creek Farms Llc (2022–2025) and Production Manager at JBS Food Canada (2020–2022).
Michael Lairmore
LinkedInExperience: General Manager · Farmland Foods
Former General Manager at Farmland Foods (2011) and at House of Raeford Farms (2005–2006), Director of Operations at Butterball (2006–2010) and Plant Manager at Boars Head Provisions (1995–2005). The profile describes a general manager position responsible for up to 2 million pounds of ham products each week, with accounting, engineering, HR, safety, food safety and QA reporting to it.
Praphan Hansanukrom
LinkedInExperience: Plant Operations Director · Cargill Meats (Thailand) Limited
Former Plant Operations Director at Cargill Meats (Thailand) Limited (2022–2024), a role the profile describes as directing and managing operations across 4 processing plants with a focus on safety and food safety. Former Chief of Operating Officer at Buono (Thailand) (2020–2021) and Factory Manager at Danone (2009–2013).
Randy Fehlberg
LinkedInExperience: VICE PRESIDENT OF OPERATIONS · TRIUMPH FOODS, St Joseph, Missouri
Former Vice President of Operations at Triumph Foods, St Joseph, Missouri (2004–2009), General Manager at Seaboard Farms, Guymon, Oklahoma (1995–2004) and Operations Manager at Smithfield Foods, Tar Heel, North Carolina (1993–1995), titles the profile shows in capitals. The profile describes a pork production manager experienced in managing production facilities, overseeing the construction and start-up of new plants, and all facets of plant operations.
Tom Lee
LinkedInExperience: EVP Manufacturing Operations · Perdue Foods
EVP Manufacturing Operations at Perdue Foods since 2023, a role the profile describes as responsible for 20 manufacturing locations including harvest, prepared and pet treats, plus engineering, continuous improvement and environmental operations teams. The profile also lists Senior Vice President Operations & General Manager at Perdue Premium Prepared Foods as current since 2019.
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's species and plant type to yours, since beef, pork and poultry harvest plants run differently from further processing and prepared foods plants. Also consider whether you need help inside a single plant or across a multi-plant network, and pick someone whose roles covered that scope.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Which yield and throughput measures do you track daily, and how do you act on them?
- 02How do you build a food safety program that holds up across shifts and audits?
- 03How do you reduce turnover and injuries on the production floor without slowing the line?
Reaching meat processing operations experts
How can I contact one of these meat processing operations experts?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Calumet Diversified Meats, JBS and J.H. Routh Packing Company, based on profile data retrieved on October 4, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach meat processing operations experts?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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