Brazil-JBS-Swift appoint new top man.

BRAZIL-JBS-SWIFT NEW HEAD OF COMPANY STARTED ON FACTORY FLOOR.

JBS S.A. has named beef industry veteran Rich Vesta as president and chief operating officer of the company’s U.S. beef operations based in Greeley, Colo., the company said in a press release.

"Rich shares my passion for the beef industry and my commitment to developing a high-performance culture in which our employees can achieve their full potential," JBS USA CEO Wesley Batista said. "Rich has spent the last 30 years of his life serving in key leadership roles throughout the beef industry, where he has acquired thorough knowledge of every facet of our business."

Vesta previously served as president and CEO of JBS-Packerland after JBS acquired Smithfield Beef Group last year and renamed the business. He has held senior executive positions with Packerland Packing Co., Land O’Lakes, Swift Independent, Monfort and Murco.

Vesta started out as a retail meat cutter, eventually holding various senior positions in retail meat sales at a regional chain.