Forty Under 40: James Young

James Young began his career with Tyson Foods Inc. immediately after graduating from college in 1988, and a recent promotion proved he remains strong in the company.

The Dallas native earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ouachita Baptist University and joined Tyson as a supervisor trainee 12 years ago.

Young, 35, now manages a staff that includes growers, researchers, veterinarians and nutritionists.

Young said his biggest challenge lies in developing stronger relationships between the growers and the factories. To encourage mutual understanding between the two groups, Young began inviting growers into the factories for tours to show exactly what happens after the chickens leave the growers.

He looks at the contracted growers and the food processors as a team of more than 60,000 members, and he said an ability to work with and understand other people remains essential in his field.

Looking toward the future, Young anticipates technology will play a strong role in developing poultry processes, and he looks forward to helping Tyson make the advances.