SILOAM SPRINGS, ARK. — Simmons Pet Food appointed Derek Baucom to senior vice president of pet food operations on July 7.

Prior to Simmons Pet Food, Baucom served as vice president of operations at Tyson Foods. He has more than 25 years of experience in operational leadership, focusing on safety, efficiency and innovation. Baucom has also served as a complex manager, live production manager and hatchery manager within the food industry.

Baucom has a bachelor’s degree in Poultry Science from North Carolina State University.

“I am very pleased about the leadership and experience Derek brings to our operations team,” said Scott Salmon, president of Simmons Pet Food. “At Simmons Pet Food, we are in the midst of a period of transformational growth. I am confident Derek is the right person to enhance and support operational excellence as we continue to invest in new capacity and capabilities.”

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.