SALISBURY, MD. — Perdue Farms announced on April 19 that Randy Day, chief executive officer for the company, would retire this summer.

Day has worked for the poultry processor for more than 40 years and served as CEO since 2017. He plans to remain in the role to assist Kevin McAdams, who is preparing to succeed him. McAdams currently is chief operations officer and president of Perdue Farms.

“I have spent my entire adult career at Perdue, and I love this company,” Day said. “After 43 years, I would like to spend more time with my wife, our children, and our six (soon to be seven) wonderful grandchildren. I am looking forward to mentoring and transitioning Kevin over the next few months. We are confident that Kevin possesses qualities that align with our company’s values and vision to be the most trusted name in food and agricultural products. It has truly been an honor to lead Perdue Farms the past six years.”

Day is the fourth CEO in the company’s 103-year history and also served on the company’s Board of Directors. 

Starting in February 2015, Day served as president of Perdue Foods. He joined Perdue Farms in 1980 and has held various positions of increasing responsibility at Perdue Foods and Perdue AgriBusiness.

A native of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Day received his Bachelor of Science in biology from Western Maryland College, earned a master’s degree in poultry nutrition from the Univ. of Maryland at College Park and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Day has served on the Board of Directors of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, on the Executive Committee of the National Turkey Federation and the Technical and Regulatory Committee of the National Chicken Council. He also served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the National Chicken Council. 

“Randy has been instrumental to some of our company’s biggest initiatives in both agribusiness and food production and will be instrumental in the CEO succession plan as well,” said Jim Perdue, chairman of Perdue Farms. “I am incredibly grateful to Randy for his more than 40 years of service at Perdue, especially for his leadership as CEO since 2017. His guidance was invaluable as we navigated the unprecedented and challenging COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.”

McAdams joined Perdue Farms in July 2022. He previously worked at Jack Links protein snacks, where he served as president of North America. Earlier stops in his career included president of Schwan’s Consumer Brands and Pabst Brewing Co.

“I am honored to be succeeding Randy as CEO of Perdue Farms,” McAdams said. “Perdue boasts an unmatched, committed team of associates and strong network of family farmers who are integral to the company’s ability to produce high-quality products that are trusted and recognized by consumers and customers nationwide. I am excited to lead this company in its second century of success.”

Other previous positions were operating roles with Mizkan, Red Bull North America, The Coca-Cola Co. and Frito-Lay.

McAdams graduated from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, in 1993 with a bachelor’s in political science.

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.