Tyson Foods adds AutoNation CFO Cheryl S. Miller to board of directors

by Talk Business & Politics staff ([email protected]) 662 views 

Tyson Foods announced Friday (Dec. 16) the appointment of Cheryl S. Miller to its board of directors.

Miller, 44, is the chief financial officer for AutoNation Inc., a Fortune 500 company and the largest auto retailer in the U.S. She is one of nine independent directors on the 12-member board and will serve on the audit committee, according to a Tyson Foods news release.

“Our nominating committee recommended Cheryl because of her financial background in consumer-focused industries and her experience in such key areas as acquisitions, cybersecurity and e-commerce,” Tyson Foods John Tyson said in the release. “We believe her insight will be helpful as we explore new ways to continue growing our business.”

Miller has more than two decades of corporate finance experience, including more than 15 years in the auto industry. She joined AutoNation in 2009 as treasurer and vice president of investor relations and was promoted to CFO in 2014.

Miller previously served as vice president and treasurer for JM Family Enterprises, a diversified automotive company, and ION Media Networks. Miller also previously held financial management jobs at Republic Industries, and its successor companies of AutoNation and Alamo/National car rental, as well as Circuit City Stores.

Miller has received numerous honors, according to the release, including the Florida Diversity Council’s Glass Ceiling Award and CFO of the Year by the South Florida Business Journal. She has also been listed as one of 30 Outstanding Women in Finance by Treasury & Risk magazine, one of the nation’s top female CFOs by Business Insider magazine, a member of the 2017 All-America Executive Team in the Midcap Best CFOs category by Institutional Investor magazine and one of the 100 Leading Women in the North American Automotive Industry by Automotive News.

A native of Puerto Rico and resident of Florida, Miller holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration from James Madison University. She is an advisory board member for the Florida Institute of CFOs and serves on the board of directors and investment committee for the Broward Performing Arts Foundation.

In addition to Miller and Chairman John Tyson, other current members of the Tyson Foods board of directors are Gaurdie E. Banister Jr.; Mike Beebe; Mikel A. Durham; current Tyson Foods president and incoming CEO Tom Hayes; Kevin M. McNamara; Brad T. Sauer; Jeffrey K. Schomburger; current CEO Donnie Smith; Robert Thurber and Barbara A. Tyson.