GUNTERSVILLE, ALA. —  Josh Whitley, who was named the president of AlaTrade last year, will take on the role of chief executive officer of the poultry company, succeeding John Pittard, who announced his retirement.  

With more than two decades of food processing experience, Whitley brings leadership roles in operations and supply chain management to the role. Whitley is also committed to financial stability, innovation and customer satisfaction, which aligns with AlaTrade’s mission.

“John has built an amazing team at AlaTrade Foods,” Whitley said, at the retirement celebration for Pittard. “He’s built an incredible company. But I think the thing that stands out most is the brand and the reputation. When people think about AlaTrade Foods, they know it as John Pittard. He’s the guy behind making AlaTrade Foods what it is, and we want nothing more than to carry that forward. If I can speak for the entire AlaTrade team here, our number one goal is to make you proud—to make AlaTrade bigger and better than it is today.”

Although he will step away from day-to-day operations, Pittard will remain a member of the AlaTrade board of directors.

Pittard joined AlaTrade the company in 2006 as president and eventually took over as CEO. He spent 45 years in the poultry industry according to his retirement announcement.

“I do plan to stay connected to poultry,” Pittard said. “I have a daughter that works for a poultry company, and a son-in-law that is a poultry farmer and a service technician in the broiler industry. Along with board activities with AlaTrade, I hope to also stay connected through the (Alabama Poultry & Egg Association).”