SALISBURY, Md. – Perdue Foods tapped Jeff Tripician as president of Perdue Premium Meat Company LLC.

“Perdue has continued to build trust by supporting Niman Ranch with a value-driven, family run approach that has allowed the largest expansion ever of our independent family farmer and rancher network and growth of our brand, with no compromises to our commitments to sustainability and humane animal care,” Tripician said. “Our mission is stronger than ever. The commitment by Perdue, the most progressive meat company in the United States, will enhance the quality investments in humane, sustainable family farming.”

Related to Tripician’s promotion, Chris Oliviero, vice president at Perdue Farms, has been named as the general manager of Niman Ranch. Oliviero is a fourth-generation Perdue family member and grandson of Frank Perdue.

Tripician brings 30-plus years of consumer marketing and branding experience to the role along with 20 years’ experience in the meat industry. He most recently was general manager of Niman Ranch, which Perdue acquired in 2015. Before joining Niman Ranch in 2006, Tripician was the vice president of marketing for the International Dairy Foods Association where he led the development of the Milk Mustache campaign. Other executive roles Tripician has held include chief marketing officer of Frontier Natural Products and CMO of Coleman Natural Meats where he is credited with building the first natural multi-protein business platform.

“When we acquired Niman Ranch in 2015 and Coleman Natural in 2011, we were expanding our ability to make positive change. As we stay current with consumer demands and values, we will continue to expand our mission-driven positions on responsible agriculture and clean products — important areas of learnings and growth,” said Mark McKay, president of Fresh Poultry and Premium Meats for Perdue Foods. “Jeff’s passion and drive will help make all of Perdue a more progressive leader in humane animal care, sustainability and, most importantly, our commitment to our farmers and ranchers.”

Chris Oliviero joined Perdue Farms in 2007 after working as a business consultant for FedEx, Toyota, BMW, Heinz and Molson, according to Perdue. Oliviero developed and led the company’s Environmental Stewardship Committee, and he also chaired the company’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed clean-up effort. Oliviero served as vice president of Deli in 2012 and has also served as vice president of Business Development. He is credited for the successful launch of Perdue organic and no-antibiotics ever products.

“Chris’ new role as General Manager of Niman Ranch is part of Perdue’s long-term pledge to humane animal care, no-antibiotics-ever, all vegetarian-fed products from animals raised sustainably and to the highest standards across the full range of proteins,” McKay said. “Chris has paid his dues through a wide-array of leadership positions within Perdue, and he is well-positioned to continue Tripician’s legacy as a steward of Niman Ranch.”