Elton Maddox, Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board for Wayne Farms LLC, recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Poultry and Food Distributors Association.
A north Georgia native, Maddox grew up working on his family’s chicken farm and served in Future Farmers of America leadership positions while still in high school as chapter officer, state officer and recipient of the FFA American Farmer degree. After earning an undergraduate degree in engineering from the University of Georgia, he joined Allied Mills’ Poultry Division, Wayne Farms, which would later become a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental Grains and eventually evolve to become Wayne Farms LLC, the sixth largest poultry producer in the nation.
Serving in a variety of management positions over more than four decades with Wayne Farms, Maddox oversaw the transformation of the company from a regional player with a wholesale focus to a national powerhouse producing products for the foodservice, retail and commodities markets. Changing the company’s operating culture along the way, he successfully led across-the-company modernization initiatives, including upgrading production technology and processes, reorganizing operations through a series of strategic acquisitions and divestitures, expansion of the company’s Prepared Foods division including construction of one of the industry’s most-advanced processing facilities in Decatur, and expansion of South Alabama operations including construction of the nation’s largest start-up feed mill. Today Wayne Farms is manufacturing partner with some of the nation’s most recognized restaurant, food service and retail brands. Over the years and paralleling his impact on company advancement, Maddox also wielded significant influence over industry issues as past president of the Georgia Poultry Federation and Georgia Poultry Processors Association, as chairman of the board for both the Georgia Poultry Improvement Association and the National Chicken Council, and as past chairman of both the US Poultry and Egg Association and US Poultry Harold E. Ford Foundation. He continues to serve in leadership on the board of directors of the National Chicken Council and US Poultry and Egg Association. A 37-year member of the Poultry Leaders Round Table, he was elected to life membership in 1992 and continues to qualify and serve as an active member.
Maddox was also recognized bu NFPDA for his community contributions during the awards ceremony at the recent International Poultry Festival in Atlanta.
NPFDA started in 1967 by poultry and food distributors recognizing the need for an organization dedicated to creating opportunities and solving challenges facing the industry. With a mission of promoting poultry and food distributors, food processors and allied industries, NPFDA creates network opportunities and provides a forum for development of long term business relationships.
