Arkansas business legend Gene George has died

George’s, Inc. announced today (Dec. 1) that its chairman, Gene George, died after a short illness. He was 88 years old.

Ellis Eugene “Gene” George was born at home July 15, 1922 in the Brush Creek community of Elm Springs, Arkansas and graduate from Springdale High School.

After returning from the U.S. Navy in WWII, George worked in two family businesses, including George’s Feed and Supply Co., presently known as George’s, Inc.

He served as CEO of the privately-held poultry company from 1969 to 1980 before assuming the duties of chairman of the board.

George helped transform the small family produce business that began in the 1920’s into a multi-division poultry corporation serving both national and international markets.

George’s, Inc. is a fourth generation family owned company with operations in Arkansas, Missouri and Virginia. It employs more than 4,000 people and produces approximately 5 million broilers per week.

George also served on the First National Bank of Springdale Board of Directors from 1969 to 2004 and the Springdale Memorial Hospital Board of Directors (currently Northwest Medical Center) from 1970 to 1998. He was a director on the board of Legacy National Bank since 2004.

He is a past board member of J. B. Hunt Transport Inc., Hudson Foods and the Arkansas Poultry Federation.

George was inducted into the Arkansas Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1993 and into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2002.