Sanderson Farms manager wins national poultry award | national news

LAURELLE, miss., February 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Sanderson Farms Director of Development and Engineering Bob “Pic” Billingsley has been named the recipient of the US Poultry & Egg Association’s Annual Lamplighter Award at the 2022 International Production & Processing Expo. The award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated sustained and exemplary service to the poultry and egg industry.

“We appreciate the commitment and support of this year’s Lamplighter Award winners,” said Greg Hinton, past president of the US Poultry & Egg Association and vice president of sales for Rose Acre Farms. “They have enthusiastically dedicated themselves to contributing to the poultry industry, and we sincerely appreciate their service to the industry.”

Billingsley, a Sanderson Farms employee for more than 38 years, served on the company’s executive committee for more than three decades and oversaw site selection, design and construction for the last eight poultry complexes at the tip of technology, the third largest poultry in the country. producer has built. In addition to his role in development and engineering, he sits on the company’s compensation committee and crisis management committee.

“As an integral member of our company’s management team for much of his career, I am not surprised that Pic was selected by his peers in the poultry and egg industry for this prestigious honor” , said Joe F. Sanderson Jr., chairman of the board and general manager of Sanderson Farms. “Pic has not only helped our business grow and develop, but he has also embraced the technology and innovation that has been critical to the development of our industry.”

As the Lamplighter Award demonstrates, Billingsley is no stranger to the poultry industry and has dedicated nearly four decades of his career to its success, including serving on the board of directors of the award-winning body, the US Poultry & Egg Association. For many terms, he also served on the board of directors of the Mississippi Poultry Association, including serving as chairman of the board.

Founded in 1947, the US Poultry & Egg Association is based in Tucker, Georgia and progressively serves its poultry and egg members through research, education, communications and technical services. In addition to Billingsley, four other industry leaders have received the association’s Lamplighter Award, including Dr. Karen ChristensenSenior Director of Animal Welfare at Tyson Foods; Steve GeorgePresident and CEO of Fremont Farms; warren howe, vice president of Woodruff & Howe Environmental Engineering; and Steve WoodruffPresident and CEO of Woodruff & Howe Environmental Engineering.

“It is such an honor to be recognized among accomplished industry leaders like these who have contributed so much to the advancement of our industries throughout their careers,” said Billingsley. “Working with the US Poultry & Egg Association has been a career highlight for me, which makes this award even more meaningful.”

Graduated from Delta State University, Billingsley earned a degree in accounting and an MBA before joining Sanderson Farms shortly after graduation. Since graduating, he has been inducted into the university’s hall of fame as an honorary graduate.

Outside of the poultry industry, Billingsley is also heavily involved in educational initiatives and civic organizations. Currently serving on the board of the Laurel Airport Authority, he has served on the board of the Association for Excellence in Education and the Salvation Army several times. As a result of his contributions to these organizations, Billingsley received the award Jones County School District Parent of the Year and the Robert E. Gaddis Education Award.

About Sanderson Farms

Sanderson Farms, Inc., founded in 1947, is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food products. Employing more than 17,000 employees in operations spanning five states and 17 different communities, Sanderson Farms is the third largest poultry producer in United States. As a company, Sanderson Farms is committed to taking a fresh approach to everything we do, not just product-wise, but company-wide. Although the company has grown in size, it still adheres to the same local values ​​of honesty, integrity and innovation that were established when the Sanderson family founded the company in 1947. For more information on Sanderson Farms, visit www.sandersonfarms.com.

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SOURCESanderson Farms, Inc.