Wayne Britt, former Tyson Foods CEO, dies

Former Tyson Foods CEO (Luther) Wayne Britt of Fayetteville, age 75, died on March 14, 2025 at the Willard Walker Hospice Home.

Britt graduated from Nashville High School in 1967 and then attended the University of Arkansas, graduating in 1971, earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting with honors. He became a certified public accountant (CPA) in 1972.

His professional career began at the Douglas Walker Accounting firm in 1969 while he was still in school. In 1972, he became a complex controller for Tyson Foods, Inc.

Over the next 28 years, Britt worked as a cost and budget manager, corporate controller, secretary/treasurer, vice president and general manager-wholesale club division, senior vice president for International Division, executive vice president and chief financial officer, and finally culminating with a promotion to CEO.

He retired from Tyson in 2000 to pursue other interests.

Britt served on the board of directors for various companies and non-profit organizations. He was a director for Tyson Foods, Inc., Springdale Bank & Trust (Arvest), Arvest Bank Group Audit Committee (chairman), National Chicken Council (executive committee), United States Poultry and Egg Export Council, Tyson de Mexico S.A.de C.V., Cobb Vantress Pedigree Breeders, Inc., Tyson Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited, AtlanticBlue Group (chairman), Spectral Fusion Technologies, LTD (chairman), and Commerce Capital Development Corporation (chairman).

He also was a strategic, financial, and long-range planning consultant for various companies and an executive in residence for Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas for an undergraduate and MBA class.

Britt was a member of the board of Hope Cancer Resources Foundation and volunteered to help many other religious and non-profit organizations.

A celebration of life will be held at Christ Church in Fayetteville at 3pm on Wednesday, March 19, followed by a reception at Fayetteville Country Club.