Jim Perdue has been the Chairman and advertising spokesman of Perdue Farms since 1991. He is the third-generation leader of the company founded by his grandfather in 1920.

In 1983, Jim accepted the invitation from his father, Frank Perdue, to return to the family business. Over the next eight years, he worked various plant management jobs and was then named Vice President of Quality Improvement.

Under Jim’s leadership, Perdue Food has grown from and East-Coast-centered label of premium fresh chicken to a national roster of premium protein brands, which includes turkey, pork, beef and lamb. At the same time, Perdue AgriBusiness went from a regional grain and oilseed business to a multi-faceted international player. His leadership guided Perdue to become a leader in workplace safety
and associate health, including innovative wellness programs for which the company the C. Everett Koop National Health award for innovative employee wellness program.

Jim’s commitment to earning consumer trust guided Perdue to become the first major poultry company to move all of its chicken to no-antibiotics-ever protocols. In 2016, Jim announced the Company’s Commitments to Animal Care, a groundbreaking initiative that is transforming Perdue’s approach to raising its chickens.

As Chairman, Jim is responsible for ensuring the company stays true to its vision and values, and ensuring that the company continues to build on its strong corporate responsibility programs, especially continued leadership in elevating animal care and strengthening farmer relationships.
Jim received his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University, a master’s degree in marine biology from the University of Massachusetts at South Dartmouth, and a doctorate in fisheries from the University of Washington in Seattle and his master’s degree in business administration from Salisbury University in Maryland.

Jim is a member of the board of the National Chicken Council. He is active in the local community, serving on the boards of the Oyster Recovery Partnership and Salisbury University’s Perdue School of Business Entrepreneur Program.