Tyson Foods selects Zelenka to lead laboratory services

Tyson Foods has promoted Dan Zelenka to vice president of laboratory services, replacing Neal Apple who retired in mid-December.

Zelenka began his career with Tyson Foods in 1986 as a geneticist and has contributed to the company’s use of statistical process control in operations, food safety and quality management programs, the company noted in the release. In his new role, Zelenka will continue to lead the statistics and experimental design team, in addition to his new laboratory services responsibilities.

Laboratory Services is a network of 18 laboratories, providing Tyson Foods and its customers with research, analytical, chemistry, microbiology and serology services. The group performs more than 280,000 tests per month in areas of food safety and quality.

“Dan’s extensive knowledge of our plants, people and processes make him the right person to manage the dynamic team involved in our world-class laboratories,” said Rick Roop, senior vice president, food safety and quality assurance for Tyson Foods.

Zelenka earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture at the University of Illinois, a master’s degree in poultry science from Virginia Tech, and a doctorate in genetics, also from Virginia Tech.