GREELEY, Colo. — Andre Nogueira will become chief executive officer of JBS USA, a wholly owned subsidiary of JBS S.A., on Jan. 1, 2013, following the retirement of Don Jackson.

Nogueira was previously the chief financial officer for JBS USA and is currently CEO of JBS Australia.

“In my new capacity as CEO, I am excited to continue to work with our team to position JBS USA as the most efficient, preferred supplier for our customers,” Nogueira said. “Global consumption of animal protein has experienced tremendous growth over the last decade, and JBS USA is well-positioned to meet increasing protein demand through its strategic global production and sales platforms. I look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to provide the highest quality beef, pork, poultry and lamb products.”

Nogueira will have responsibility for all US and Australian operations and report to Wesley Batista, president and chief executive officer of JBS global operations. Jackson will gradually transition responsibilities to Nogueira over the next several months and will stay with the company in an advisory role and keep his seat on the board of Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.

Nogueira brings more than 25 years of experience in corporate business in both the US and Brazil, according to JBS. Nogueira has been a part of JBS for the past five years, serving as JBS USA CFO for four years and as CEO of JBS Australia for the past year.

In addition to his executive roles at JBS, Nogueira has more than 20 years of corporate financial banking experience, holding senior positions at Banco do Brasil in both the US and Brazil, JBS said. He has a B.A. in economics from Federal Fluminese Univ., a master’s degree in economics from Brasilia Univ., and a master of business administration degree from Funcado Don Cabral.

As part of the company’s executive changes, Bill Rupp will assume leadership of the Australia business and report to Nogueira. Rupp will also keep his current role as president and chief operating officer of the JBS USA beef business. Rupp joined JBS USA in 2010. Before joining JBS, he spent more than 20 years at Cargill where he held a variety of senior-level positions including vice president of beef operations and president of Cargill Beef.