The former chief of Tyson Foods has been hired as president and CEO of Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc.
Tom Hayes, who left Tyson in October 2018 after serving as president and CEO for two years, will head Ocean Spray, an agricultural cooperative with about 700 members.
“For everyone who grew up in New England, the Ocean Spray name is not just a global brand – it's part of our culture,” Hayes, a native of New Hampshire, said in a statement. “The heritage of the company and its 700 farmer owners is one to be celebrated and shared across the world, and I want to ensure it is protected and positioned to grow for a long time to come.”
Before heading Tyson, Hayes was the chief supply chain officer at Hillshire Brands and Sara Lee, and has held executive positions at US Foods, ConAgra, and Kraft. He most recently served as a partner at Entrepreneurial Equity Partners (e2p), a private equity firm that invests in middle market companies in the food industry.
