Simmons Foods Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

Simmons Foods has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, administration, and pet food production.

Focused on delivering high-quality animal nutrition, Simmons Foods maintains a commitment to excellence in poultry and pet food manufacturing while driving sustainable growth across the North American market.

Leadership Roles at Simmons Foods

  • Chief Executive Officer - Todd Simmons
  • Chief Operating Officer - David Jackson
  • President - Derrick Baucom
  • President - Johnny Bullington
  • President, Simmons Pet Food - Scott Salmon
  • President - Joel Sappenfield
  • Co-President - Ted Dorn
  • Chief Administrative Officer - Russell Tooley
  • Todd Simmons - Chief Executive Officer

    Todd Simmons, the Chief Executive Officer at Simmons Foods, directs the overarching strategic vision for the organization. Overseeing the production of poultry and animal nutrition products, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment between manufacturing capabilities and market demand. This leadership role involves managing complex supply chains across the United States to maintain competitive advantages in the food industry. By fostering innovation in pet food development, Todd Simmons drives long-term value for stakeholders and partners. The Chief Executive Officer evaluates performance metrics to optimize operational efficiency and product quality. Through consistent focus on market expansion, Simmons secures the company position as a leader in the animal nutrition sector. This executive leadership ensures that all corporate initiatives support the mission of providing high-quality food solutions while maintaining rigorous safety standards throughout the entire production lifecycle.
    Todd Simmons

    David Jackson - Chief Operating Officer

    David Jackson, the Chief Operating Officer at Simmons Foods, manages the daily execution of manufacturing processes and logistics. Overseeing the operational infrastructure, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that poultry and pet food production facilities function at peak capacity. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional managers to streamline distribution networks across North America. By implementing advanced manufacturing technologies, David Jackson improves output consistency and reduces waste within the supply chain. The Chief Operating Officer monitors key performance indicators to identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions immediately. Through rigorous oversight of facility maintenance and safety protocols, Jackson maintains high standards of operational excellence. This executive leadership supports the broader corporate goal of delivering reliable animal nutrition products to a diverse customer base while maximizing resource utilization and maintaining strict adherence to industry regulations.

    Derrick Baucom - President

    Derrick Baucom, the President at Simmons Foods, leads the strategic development of the poultry division. Overseeing market penetration and product diversification, the President ensures that the company meets the evolving needs of the animal nutrition sector. This leadership role involves managing relationships with key industry partners and stakeholders to drive revenue growth. By analyzing market trends, Derrick Baucom identifies opportunities for expanding the reach of poultry products across North America. The President coordinates with the executive team to align production targets with sales forecasts. Through the implementation of quality control initiatives, Baucom maintains the reputation of the brand for excellence and reliability. This executive leadership supports the overall mission of the company by focusing on the core poultry business, ensuring that operational outputs consistently exceed customer expectations and industry benchmarks for quality and safety.

    Johnny Bullington - President

    Johnny Bullington, the President at Simmons Foods, manages the strategic initiatives for the animal nutrition division. Overseeing the development of specialized feed products, the President ensures that the company remains at the forefront of nutritional science. This leadership role involves optimizing the formulation and distribution of animal feed to support the diverse requirements of the agricultural market. By leveraging data-driven insights, Johnny Bullington enhances product efficacy and customer satisfaction. The President collaborates with research and development teams to innovate new solutions that address emerging challenges in animal health. Through the management of regional sales efforts, Bullington expands the market footprint of the nutrition division. This executive leadership drives the company commitment to providing superior animal nutrition products, ensuring that all operations contribute to the long-term success and sustainability of the broader organization.

    Scott Salmon - President, Simmons Pet Food

    Scott Salmon, the President, Simmons Pet Food at Simmons Foods, directs the specialized operations of the pet food manufacturing unit. Overseeing the production of high-quality pet nutrition, the President ensures that the company meets the rigorous demands of the pet food industry. This leadership role involves managing the entire lifecycle of pet food products, from ingredient sourcing to final packaging. By focusing on innovation in pet nutrition, Scott Salmon drives the growth of the pet food division within the competitive North American market. The President coordinates with quality assurance teams to maintain the highest standards of safety and nutritional integrity. Through strategic planning, Salmon expands the manufacturing capacity to accommodate increasing demand. This executive leadership ensures that the pet food division remains a vital contributor to the company success, delivering premium products that satisfy the needs of pet owners and retailers alike.

    Joel Sappenfield - President

    Joel Sappenfield, the President at Simmons Foods, oversees the strategic execution of the poultry processing operations. Managing the integration of supply chain logistics and production efficiency, the President ensures that the company maintains a competitive edge in the food manufacturing sector. This leadership role involves directing large-scale processing initiatives to meet the high volume requirements of the market. By optimizing plant performance, Joel Sappenfield reduces operational costs and improves product consistency. The President works closely with the executive team to align processing capabilities with the broader corporate strategy. Through the implementation of advanced safety protocols, Sappenfield protects the integrity of the poultry supply chain. This executive leadership supports the company mission by ensuring that the processing division operates with maximum efficiency, reliability, and adherence to the highest standards of food quality and safety.

    Ted Dorn - Co-President

    Ted Dorn, the Co-President at Simmons Foods, shares the responsibility for driving the strategic growth of the organization. Overseeing the alignment of business units, the Co-President ensures that the poultry and nutrition divisions operate in harmony to achieve corporate objectives. This leadership role involves managing cross-functional teams to execute complex projects that enhance market presence. By fostering a culture of innovation, Ted Dorn encourages the development of new products and services that address changing consumer needs. The Co-President collaborates with other executives to refine the long-term vision and operational strategy of the company. Through the oversight of key business partnerships, Dorn expands the reach of the organization across North America. This executive leadership ensures that the company maintains its position as a leader in the food industry, consistently delivering value through operational excellence and strategic foresight.

    Russell Tooley - Chief Administrative Officer

    Russell Tooley, the Chief Administrative Officer at Simmons Foods, directs the internal support functions that enable organizational success. Overseeing human resources, legal compliance, and corporate governance, the Chief Administrative Officer ensures that the company maintains a robust framework for growth. This leadership role involves aligning administrative policies with the strategic objectives of the poultry and pet food divisions. By optimizing internal workflows, Russell Tooley enhances cross-departmental collaboration and operational transparency. The Chief Administrative Officer manages risk mitigation strategies to protect the company assets and reputation in the competitive food manufacturing landscape. Through the development of talent management programs, Tooley fosters a culture of accountability and professional excellence. This executive leadership provides the necessary foundation for the company to scale operations effectively while navigating the complexities of the modern animal nutrition market.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Simmons Foods Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Simmons Foods?
    Simmons Foods is led by Todd Simmons (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as David Jackson (Chief Operating Officer) and Derrick Baucom (President).
    Who is part of Simmons Foods’s executive team?
    The executive team of Simmons Foods includes leaders such as Todd Simmons (Chief Executive Officer), David Jackson (Chief Operating Officer), Derrick Baucom (President) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Simmons Foods have?
    Simmons Foods has 8 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Simmons Foods’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Simmons Foods includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President, President, President, Simmons Pet Food.