December 4/Springdale, Ark./GlobeNewswire -- Two meat and poultry industry veterans have been selected to oversee the key operating units of Tyson Foods Inc., company officials reported.

Donnie D. King has been named senior group vice president of Poultry and Prepared Foods, replacing Donnie Smith who was recently named Tyson's president and chief executive officer. Noel White has been selected senior group vice president of Tyson Fresh Meats, which is the company's beef and pork business. He succeeds Jim Lochner, who is now Tyson's chief operating officer.

"We believe Donnie and Noel have the leadership skills needed to help us execute the sound strategy we have in place to win," Smith said. "They will be actively involved in our continued pursuit of operational excellence and innovative food solutions for our customers."

King and White will both report to Lochner, who said, "Donnie and Noel have extensive knowledge about our company and our industry and, equally important, are committed to operating with integrity. I look forward to their involvement as we work aggressively to ensure our company is successful."

King, who has most recently been group vice president, Refrigerated and Deli, Fowl and Export Sales, joined Tyson Foods in 1982. He has been a poultry plant manager, a poultry complex manager and director of Logistics. In more recent years, he has held a variety of senior management positions, including senior vice president, Food Service Operations; senior vice president, Consumer Products Operations; and group vice president, Poultry and Prepared Foods. King has a degree in business management from the University of Arkansas-Monticello.

White has been working as senior vice president, Pork Margin Management. He joined IBP, inc., now Tyson Fresh Meats, as a pork sales representative in 1983 and has subsequently held numerous sales and management positions. He previously served as vice president, Pork Sales; vice president, Manufactured Product Sales; senior vice president, Fresh Meats Sales and Marketing; and was also group vice president of Tyson Fresh Meats. White has a master's degree in business administration from Oklahoma City University.

From the December 7, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition