A life-long Georgia resident, Mr Long graduated from Georgia Southern College in 1990 with a degree in Industrial Engineering Technology and started his career as an engineer with Stillmore-based hen processing company Crider Poultry. He then moved to the Seaboard Farms broiler processing facility in Canton Georgia in 1994, joining as a plant engineer.
Over his 24 years in Canton, the plant passed through several owners including ConAgra Foods, Pilgrim's Pride and JBS. Mr Long was promoted to Plant Manager in 1996, responsible for production and staff at the processing plant with a staff of 650 team members and weekly processing of 850,000 chickens. Between 2009 and 2018 he was Complex Manager – running a team of 775 staff and responsible for an operation that included the processing plant, feed mill, hatchery, truck shop, wastewater, broiler growout, and breeder production.
Commenting on joining the Pas Reform North America family, Mr Long said: “It is an exciting time for the business and I look forward to being able to help drive the company’s continued expansion in the US.” Ken, who is married with two children, will be attending VIV Europe in Utrecht, The Netherlands, from May 31 to June 2.