GARNER, NC. — Turkey processor Butterball, LLC has promoted two longtime employees to new leadership positions.
Neal Walsh has been named chief operating officer. In his new role, Mr. Walsh will have direct responsibility for company operations across Butterball’s six turkey processing facilities and all operational support functions. He will focus on executing Butterball’s strategic company priorities and long-range operations plan.
Mr. Walsh has been with Butterball since 2007 and has held several roles of increasing responsibility within the company’s operations team, and most recently was vice president of operations since April 2019. Earlier he was vice president of strategic business initiatives and purchasing. Prior to joining Butterball he was with Perdue Farms for 21 years.
Succeeding Mr. Walsh as vice president of operations is Bill Folk. Mr. Folk most recently was the complex general manager for Butterball’s Mount Olive, NC, processing facility. In his new role Mr. Folk will provide leadership for the company’s supply chain operational excellence team. He will oversee all company processing operations, prioritizing team member safety, food safety, and quality, while fostering a culture of engagement, innovation and continuous improvement.
Mr. Folk has been with Butterball, LLC, since its formation in 2006 and with the brand under Conagra since 1991. Earlier, he was a controller/administrative manager of live operations within the Louis Rich division of Kraft Foods.
“Bill and Neal share a passion for operational excellence that make them both natural fits for these leadership roles,” said Jay Jandrain, president and chief executive officer. “They have proven themselves to be incredibly valuable contributors to our organization. Neal has a notable track record for achieving major cost savings initiatives and efficiencies while always keeping the desires of our customers and consumers top of mind. And Bill is well-recognized for his ability to develop team members and build the inclusive environment necessary to achieve success. I am incredibly confident in their abilities to lead our organization to continued growth and improvement.”