Photo: Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

Cal-Maine Foods Inc.’s board of directors has named Sherman L. Miller president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. He succeeds Dolph Baker as chief executive officer.

Baker will retain his role as chairman of the board and as an executive officer, and will remain actively involved in managing the company, with a focus on strategy, capital allocation, advising the senior management team and leading the board. This transition is consistent with the board’s succession planning process.

Sherman Miller joined the company in 1996 and has served in various management positions during his 26-year tenure, most recently as president and chief operations officer. He was elected president in 2018, chief operations officer in 2011 and vice president of operations in 2007. Prior to this, he served in management positions at various processing plant locations including Chase, Kan.; Delta, Utah; and Edwards, Miss. He became a member of the Cal-Maine Foods board in 2012.

He will remain interim COO until a successor is named. Miller serves as a director of the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association and United Egg Producers, and past director of the American Feed Industry Association. He graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s degree in poultry science.

“Sherman has dedicated his entire career to Cal-Maine Foods and is extremely well qualified for this leadership position, having the right complement of operational experience and strategic vision,” Baler said. “He has been a proven leader in managing our operations through the various market cycles that are characteristic of our industry.

“Under his leadership, the company has achieved tremendous growth, and he has the full confidence of the board that he is the right person to lead the company forward. Sherman is well-respected within the company, by our customers and throughout our industry. I look forward to our continued strong working relationship as we execute our growth strategy.”

“I am proud and honored to assume this role with Cal-Maine Foods,” Miller said. “Dolph has been a tremendous leader and mentor, and we will continue to benefit from his valuable insight and deep knowledge of the company. He has established Cal-Maine Foods as a leader in our industry, and we will continue to work together and build upon this proud legacy and history of success.

“Cal-Maine Foods has a proven business model with a favorable product mix, a strong focus on efficient and sustainable operations, and a solid base of valued customers. With the support of our capable and experienced management team and an outstanding team of employees throughout our operations, I am excited about the opportunities ahead for Cal-Maine Foods.”

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. is primarily engaged in the production, grading, packing, marketing and distribution of fresh shell eggs, including conventional, cage-free, organic, brown, free-range, pasture-raised and nutritionally enhanced eggs. The company, which is headquartered in Ridgeland, Miss,, is the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States and sells the majority of its shell eggs in states across the southwestern, southeastern, mid-western and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

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