The National Chicken Council (NCC) and its membership recently elected Bernard Leonard, group vice president of Food Service for Tyson Foods Inc., as vice chairman of the organization’s Executive Committee. Leonard will serve a one-year term.

Leonard joined Tyson Foods in 1998 when it acquired Hudson Foods, where he was vice president of broiler sales and operations. He has held numerous management positions at Tyson, including vice president of operations, as well as senior vice president of sales. He was selected to lead Tyson Food Service in November 2006.

Since beginning his poultry industry career in 1975, Leonard has served in various positions with industry associations. He is a former member of the board and executive committee of the Alabama Poultry & Egg Association. He spent 12 years on the board of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association, serving as an officer for four years culminating with a term as chairman in 1999. He joined the NCC Board of Directors in June 2007 and was elected to the Executive Committee in February 2008.

Donnie Smith, senior group vice president of Poultry & Prepared Foods for Tyson, was elected to serve on the NCC board of directors for a three-year term.