Forty Under 40: Wendy Davidson

Wendy Davidson has worked for Tyson Foods Inc. for more than 10 years. nThe Le Mars, Iowa, native earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology with an emphasis in business management from Luther College in 1992. nBefore joining Tyson in 1993 in foodservice sales, Davidson was a buyer in the executive training program for Von Maur department stores in Davenport, Iowa. nDavidson received the best advice from her father: “Focus on doing the job you have and the rest will take care of itself.” “It wasn’t that I was searching for something new,” Davidson said. “I just worked hard in whatever job I was given.” nDavidson served as customer development manager from 1996 to 1998 and was named Tyson Food Service Marketing Manager of the Year that year. Until 2001, she served as division manager in the Customer Marketing group. Davidson was then promoted to director of global sales and marketing for the McDonald’s Corp. business unit and in September 2003 she became vice president and general manager of that division. nIn 2004, her unit represented more than $450 million in sales to McDonald’s and its partner brands. Davidson has served on the Marketing Communications and Alliance Committees for the national Women’s Foodservice Forum.n