ATLANTA — Jonathan Cade, president of Hy-Line International, Des Moines, Iowa, was elected chair of the board of directors for the US  Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY). The selection was made during a board meeting held at the 2025 International Production & Processing Expo (IPPE). Cade previously served as vice chair for USPOULTRY.

Mikell Fries, president of Claxton Poultry Farms in Claxton, Ga., became the immediate past chairman. 

Before becoming president of Hy-Line International, Cade served as managing director of Hy-Line subsidiary Hy-Line UK International.

“With the experience and guidance these officers bring to our organization, the future of USPOULTRY is in excellent hands. I look forward to their leadership in helping to shape our organization over the next year,” said Nath Morris, president of USPOULTRY.

Bill Griffith, chief operating officer of Peco Foods Inc. in Tuscaloosa, Ala., was elected vice chair of the USPOULTRY board.

Prior to joining Peco, Griffith worked as president of Keystone Foods US. He also held positions at Perdue Foods overseeing food safety, quality and regulatory compliance. He was also a microbiologist for Tyson Foods.

During his career, Griffith served on the USPOULTRY Foundation Research Advisory Committee and remained active with the National Chicken Council. 

Alice Johnson, DVM, senior vice president of food safety, regulatory and animal well-being at Butterball LLC in Garner, NC, was elected treasurer for the USPOULTRY board.

Johnson has worked alongside federal and state regulatory agencies to implement and manage government regulations within the company since 2006.

Prior to joining Butterball, Johnson served as president and chief executive officer of the National Turkey Federation. She has also held multiple leadership positions with organizations like the National Food Processors Association and the Meat Institute.

Finally, Kevin McDaniel, the incoming president and CEO for Wayne-Sanderson Farms in Oakwood, Ga., was named secretary of the board.

McDaniel brings more than 30 years of poultry industry experience.

Before joining Wayne-Sanderson, he served as president of Aviagen North America, as well as some senior roles with OK Foods and Pilgrim’s.

Along with this role with USPOULTRY, McDaniels sits on the board of directors for the National Chicken Council and Southern Hens. He previously held key positions with The Poultry Federation.