Tom Hayes Appointed as CEO of Tyson Foods, Succeeding Donnie Smith on December 31, 2016

Hayes' Track Record in Strategic, Operational, and Commercial Achievements Prepares Him to Guide Company's Ongoing Progress Under Smith's Seven-Year Leadership as CEO, the Company Yielded Robust Shareholder Returns; Shifted to a Mixed Strategy of Branded Ready-to-Eat Foods and Fresh Meats SPRINGDALE, Ark. – November 21, 2016 – Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), one of the globe's biggest food corporations, today declared that Tom Hayes, President of Tyson Foods, will take over from Donnie Smith as Chief Executive Officer on December 31, 2016. Hayes will maintain his role as President and has been nominated to the Board of Directors, effective immediately. Smith, who has been Tyson Foods' CEO since November 2009, will be on hand to advise the Company for a three-year term. "Tom Hayes is a demonstrated leader who has been instrumental in shaping the Tyson Foods we know today and propelling growth throughout our company," stated John Tyson, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "The plan we have unveiled today will ensure a seamless leadership transition that sets Tyson Foods up for sustained growth and innovation. The Board's decision to appoint Tom as CEO at this juncture was influenced by his proven performance and how his skills align with the company's strategic direction and ongoing evolution. The Board has complete faith in Tom's ability to build on the foundation Donnie has established, to penetrate further into emerging markets, new product categories and unique food experiences, and to continue investing in our core nine categories." Mr. Tyson added: "Donnie is leaving the Company in capable hands, having cultivated a remarkable pipeline of management talent while positioning us for sustained growth and transformation. The Board and I express our gratitude to Donnie for his numerous contributions and wish him all the best." Smith assumed the role of CEO of Tyson Foods in November 2009, and has contributed to building a platform to support the Company’s mixed strategy of branded ready-to-eat products and fresh chicken, beef, pork and specialty meats. Hayes was named President earlier this year and is guiding Tyson Foods’ shift to the mixed model. Collaborating with Smith to leverage Tyson Foods’ scale and develop brands to stimulate growth, Hayes has been accountable for retailed packaged brands, international and global growth, North American sales, strategy and new ventures, as well as the support functions of corporate affairs and operations services. Donnie Smith stated, “I am immensely proud of my leadership at Tyson Foods over the past seven years. Beyond helping the Company deliver growth and robust shareholder returns, I am also proud of our efforts to transform Tyson Foods into a company with a conscience, dedicated to providing consumers wholesome, affordable food and making a positive impact in people’s lives. When Tyson acquired Hillshire Brands in 2014, with the backing of the Board and the family, we embarked on a new strategy to integrate the strengths and products of each company into one entity, and the resulting mixed model has been a success largely due to Tom’s strategic, operational and commercial achievements. I am confident that Tom is the ideal CEO to continue the transition we have initiated and guide Tyson in the next stage of its strategic development and growth. I look forward to supporting Tom and the rest of the management team.” Tom Hayes stated, “I am honored to be named the next CEO of Tyson Foods and am thankful to the Board and the family for giving me the opportunity to lead this remarkable company. Tyson Foods is well positioned to capitalize on numerous growth opportunities – our company has a solid strategy that leverages compelling market dynamics and an experienced and highly capable management team and many thousands of hard working and dedicated associates. I am particularly grateful for Donnie’s unwavering support and advice. He has set a wonderful example of how to approach every challenge and opportunity with the same diligence, thought and skill that have come to define his career.” Hayes is a 29-year veteran of the consumer products industry. Before his role as President, Hayes was the chief commercial officer at Tyson Foods, supervising all North American sales, in addition to the food service prepared foods business. He also previously served as president of food service. Prior to that, Hayes served as chief supply chain officer for The Hillshire Brands Company, responsible for operations including procurement, manufacturing, food safety and quality, engineering, and logistics. Before that, Hayes was senior vice president and chief supply chain officer for Sara Lee North America, responsible for supply chain activities for the company’s North American Retail and Foodservice businesses. Before this role, Hayes was president of Sara Lee Foodservice. Before joining Sara Lee in 2006, Hayes served as group vice president of US Foodservice, Inc., where he oversaw the turnaround needs of broad line distribution facilities in the Northeast. Hayes has also held general management, sales and marketing roles at ConAgra Foods, The Fort James Corporation, Stella Foods and Kraft Foods.