Sanderson Farms : GEORGE JONES JR. RETIRES AFTER 36 YEARS

With nearly 36 years of tenure with Sanderson Farms, it is safe to say that George Jones Sr. has witnessed exponential company growth throughout the last three and a half decades, and particularly within his line of work in engineering. After a successful career with Sanderson Farms, Jones retired from the company last year, but will certainly never forget all that he accomplished with the company during his tenure.

"I will forever be indebted to George for his loyalty, commitment and dedication to our company," said Pic Billingsley, director of development and engineering for Sanderson Farms. "He always set an uncompromised, high standard to do only what was in the best interest of Sanderson Farms. I pray that his retirement offers him nothing but the best."

Jones began his career with Sanderson Farms in 1984 as a maintenance superintendent at the company's Hammond, Louisiana processing division. Throughout his tenure with the company, he held the positions of maintenance manager, corporate maintenance manager and manager of engineering.

In 2015, he was promoted to his most recent role of corporate manager of engineering. As corporate manager of engineering, Jones was responsible for managing production and processing managers of engineering to ensure close supervision on all construction projects. He also prepared and recommended long-range plans for development and improvement of facilities along with researching machines and processes to determine possible application in Sanderson Farms' operations. Jones attended Gadsden State Community College in Gadsden, Alabama.

By relying on organic growth, Sanderson Farms has positioned itself as a leader in the poultry industry. Jones helped to play an instrumental role in the growth of the company through his responsibilities as corporate manager of engineering. Throughout his tenure, the company has grown significantly, growing from only four processing facilities in 1984 when he joined the company to the now twelve processing facilities, 11 hatcheries, nine feed mills and one prepared foods facility the company operates today.

In more than two decades' time, Sanderson Farms has built eight new poultry complexes, surpassing any other company's record for organic growth in the industry since 1993. During that time frame, Jones helped oversee construction of the company's most recently built processing complexes, including important builds such as our Palestine, Texas; St. Pauls, North Carolina; and Tyler, Texas complexes.

While it may have seemed effortless to those witnessing the company's expansion since its humble beginnings as a family-owned feed and seed store, all of the organic growth the company has experienced in the last 28 years has been the result of years of research, strategic planning, hard work and diligence.

"I am proud to have been a part of the Sanderson Farms family for over three decades," said George Jones Sr. "I was blessed to work with some of the best people in the industry, and there are too many to name. I will always treasure my years with Sanderson Farms."

Jones is married to his wife, Leanne, and they have three adult children. During retirement, Jones plans to spend time with family and do plenty of fishing.