Tyson Foods ousts top exec, appoints new COO

Tyson Foods of Springdale said Brady Stewart, its group president of prepared foods, beef and pork, is leaving because "the company determined certain actions taken by Brady violated the Tyson Foods Code of Conduct."

The big picture: Stewart, who was also the company's chief supply chain officer, joined the company in late 2022 and previously served as the chief operating officer for Smithfield Foods of Virginia.

State of play: Tyson said it appointed Devin Cole as the chief operating officer and that he would oversee the beef, pork, poultry, prepared foods and international segments of the business.

• Cole rejoined Tyson Foods after serving as chief operating officer for George's Inc. in Springdale.

Flashback: Last year, the company appointed a new chief financial officer after suspending John R. Tyson following an alcohol-related arrest.

What's next: The company said more leadership changes are coming by the end of the month as part of a broader shakeup it called "succession planning."

Disclosure: Reporter Worth Sparkman formerly worked at Tyson Foods.