Zach McGee

Zachary (“Zach”) McGee is Senior Director of Live Operations for Simmons Foods Inc., where he oversees poultry grow-out operations for one of the largest poultry processing plants in the United States.  Zach manages 119 team members, helps process 17 million pounds of chicken weekly, and oversees 200 contract poultry farmers in Arkansas and Oklahoma.  He is responsible for the feed mill that produces feed for the birds, operations at two poultry hatcheries and transportation of over 2 million chickens weekly to Simmons’ processing plant in Arkansas. 

He previously served in a similar role at Tyson Foods as Senior Live Production Manager at Tyson’s Corydon, Indiana, poultry complex where he helped lower costs and improved profitability and efficiencies.  At 29, Zach was one of the youngest to ever serve in this role for Tyson.  Zach also worked for Tyson at their poultry complex in Noel, Missouri, as a plant supervisor, poultry service technician, and broiler manager.  While at Tyson, Zach was chosen by senior executives to complete three leadership development programs for a small group of up-and-coming leaders from across the company.

Zach graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in international business.  While in college, Zach worked for Tyson as a plant supervisor at their plant in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and in international marketing at Tyson’s corporate headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas. 

In 2013, at the age of 24, Zach received international recognition for his work in the poultry industry and was awarded the poultry industry’s International Production & Processing 30 under 30 award.  In 2024, Zach was a Northwest Arkansas Business Journal 40 under 40 award recipient for his work in the industry and his work supporting his community. 

Zach grew up around the poultry industry and always knew he wanted to work for the industry.  He contributes his passion and love for the poultry industry from watching his grandfather and father who also worked in the industry. 

In his spare time, Zach mentors the next generation of agricultural leaders, educates farmers, and helps find ways to recruit and develop talent within the poultry industry and attract students to agricultural-related degree programs.  For example, Zach serves on the Poultry Federation’s scholarship committee where he helps organize events to raise scholarship money for students interested in careers in the poultry and agricultural industries.  Zach has also been a guest lecturer for poultry science classes at the University of Arkansas to help teach students about the poultry industry.