Devin Cole has been appointed as the new president of international operations at Tyson Foods, Inc., as announced during an earnings call on Monday.
Cole, who previously led teams at Tyson, returned to the company in March to oversee its global McDonald’s business. He is now taking on additional executive responsibilities for the international division, succeeding Amy Tu, who is retiring after six years with the company.
Tyson has been making significant investments in China and Southeast Asia to expand its presence in the foodservice and retail sectors, including plans for new facilities.
While there were rumors about Tyson selling off its China assets, Cole believes that the company has the assets and team necessary to deliver a range of products to meet global customer and consumer needs.
As of August 7, no official investor filing has been made regarding the leadership change. Cole, who previously served as Tyson’s chief commercial officer, brings 20 years of experience with the company.
Cole’s previous roles include president of Keystone Foods’ U.S. operations and chief operating officer of George’s Inc. before returning to Tyson.
Amy Tu, who held various legal roles at companies like Walmart, Boeing, and Tyson, is stepping down after 30 years in the corporate legal field. She was named head of Tyson’s international business in 2022.
President and CEO Donnie King expressed well wishes for Amy Tu and her husband Christian, while also expressing excitement for the future of Tyson’s international operations under Cole’s leadership.
International operations generated $582 million in sales in the third quarter, with an operating income of $25 million, a significant improvement from the previous year.
Tyson also reported positive cash flow after selling a production plant in the Netherlands that experienced a fire earlier this year.