Tyson Foods adds former Cisco Systems technology exec to its board

Tyson Foods announced Wednesday (June 12) that Maria Martinez, a former chief operating officer at tech firm Cisco Systems, will join the company’s board of directors. Tyson is increasing its board to 15 seats with the appointment.

Martinez will serve on the governance and nominating committee and the strategy and acquisitions committee. The company said Martinez is an independent director with no ties to Tyson Foods.

Martinez most recently worked as chief operating officer at Cisco Systems from 2021 until 2024 and previously held the role of chief customer experience officer. Prior to Cisco Systems, Martinez held executive positions at technology companies including Salesforce, Microsoft, Motorola and AT&T’s Bell Labs.

Martinez is also on the board of directors of McKesson, Computer History Museum and the Silicon Valley Education Foundation. She also is an advisor on the President’s National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and master’s degree in computer engineering.

“I look forward to bringing my perspective to the board’s work as the company continues to execute its digital strategy to grow its business sustainably and create value for shareholders, customers, team members and communities,” Martinez said in a statement.