Chairman of the Board
Ron represents the company’s second generation of Joyces. Ron came on board in 1971 after graduating from UNC-Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. In 1981, Ron took over leadership from his father, founder Alvin Joyce. Ron’s father taught him the importance of providing outstanding customer service in tandem with great products. In 2022, Ron passed the reins of the company to his two sons, Ryan and Stuart, who already played key roles on the management team as VP of Finance and VP of Operations respectively. Ron remains actively involved with the company as Chairman of the Board.
Ron has served as president of the National Poultry and Foods Distributor’s Association (NPFDA), Chairman of the NC Small Business Council, a board member of the NC Economic Development Board and the board of N.C. Free Enterprise Foundation. He currently serves on the N.C. Leadership Council of NFIB. Ron has received the NPFDA Man of the year award, the Poultry Vanguard Award, the WS Chamber Small Business Advocate Award, the NC NFIB Small Business Advocate Award. He was also presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by N. C. Governor James G. Martin. He currently splits his time between Winston-Salem and Florida, enjoying life with his wife Elena and their dogs Tima and Sassy.
President & CEO
As a third-generation leader at Joyce Farms, alongside his brother Stuart, Ryan works hard to preserve and grow Joyce Farms' enduring legacy of excellence as a premiere specialty meat and poultry producer. His journey with the company began early in childhood, watching his father Ron lead the company and learning the intricate workings of the family business. Ryan was inspired by his father’s contagious enthusiasm and dedication, and he developed a deep appreciation for the unique contributions of each team member, recognizing how these efforts collectively ensure the delivery of top-quality meat and poultry products.
In 2008, armed with a degree in Business Management from N.C. State University, Ryan officially joined Joyce Farms, marking the initiation of his professional journey within the family business. His commitment to personal and professional growth led him to pursue a JD/MBA at Wake Forest University in 2010. Shortly after passing the NC Bar, Ryan returned to Joyce Farms in 2014, assuming the role of Vice President of Finance.
The year 2022 marked a pivotal moment in the company's history as Ryan, in the company's 60th year, ascended to the roles of President & CEO. In this capacity, he oversees finance, human resources, quality assurance, information technology, and legal matters, ensuring the seamless functioning of critical aspects of the organization.
Ryan's vision for Joyce Farms is clear - to continue expanding the company's horizons while always upholding its core values, and staying nimble enough to adapt to future challenges.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Ryan is a licensed pilot, holding a Private Pilot Certificate; but when he isn’t working or flying, you will most likely find him spending quality time with his family— his wife Chelsea, daughter Harper, sons Oliver and Merrill, and their family dog, Goose.
Executive Vice President & COO
Stuart serves as Joyce Farms’ Executive Vice President and is part of the company’s third-generation of family leadership, along with his brother Ryan. Stuart's official journey with Joyce Farms began in 2010 when he assumed a role in Live Operations after graduating from N.C. State University with a degree in Agricultural Business Management and in 2015, moved to VP of Operations. However, Stuart's connection with Joyce Farms is far from recent.
From an early age, Stuart was immersed in the family business, spending after-school hours and summers working alongside his father, Ron. These formative experiences laid the foundation for his comprehensive understanding of poultry processing, accounting, and the intricate workings of the operation. Stuart's hands-on approach extended to repairing poultry houses, ensuring efficient feed systems, and forging lasting relationships with farmers and their families.
In 2022, Stuart assumed the role of Executive Vice President, marking a pivotal moment in his leadership journey. In this capacity, Stuart works to further develop Joyce Farms’ operational excellence, steering the company towards new heights while preserving its deep-rooted commitment to quality, transparency, tradition, and flavor.
Outside the office, Stuart is passionate about aviation and holds a Private Pilot Certificate. He also enjoys the outdoors, particularly hunting or visiting the mountains. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife, Samantha, and their daughter, Natalie.
Quality Assurance Manager
Jennifer brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her role as Joyce Farms Quality Assurance Manager. With a diverse background that includes previous roles as a North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) Inspector, Trainer, and Enforcement Investigations Analysis Officer (EIAO), Jennifer has honed her skills in ensuring compliance and upholding the highest standards. Her dedication to excellence extends beyond her professional roles. An avid deer hunter, she understands the importance of precision and attention to detail, qualities that she brings to her work every day.
Jennifer graduated from North Carolina State University with a degree in Animal Science, with a concentration in veterinary medicine. This foundation provides her with a deep understanding of the intricacies of animal health and welfare, further enhancing her ability to safeguard product integrity.
At Joyce Farms, Jennifer's role is not just about ensuring compliance; it's about protecting consumers and upholding the company's reputation for excellence. Her leadership and expertise are instrumental in ensuring that every product leaving our facility meets the highest standards of quality and safety.
Director of Operations
As Joyce Farms’ Operations Manager, Eric Ivey ensures that the plant’s interconnected, daily operations run smoothly, including harvesting and processing, product packaging, and shipping and receiving. He joined the company in 2011, bringing with him poultry-industry experience as a Safety and Compliance Manager. Previously, Eric enjoyed a successful career working with birds of another feather – helicopters. For nearly 23 years, he proudly served his country as an active duty aviation professional in the U.S. Army. Following a fascination with helicopters that began in high school, Eric joined the Army as a Chinook Helicopter mechanic and progressed to Crew Chief, Flight Engineer and Flight Engineer Instructor, logging nearly 2,000 hours in the air. He retired from the Army as a Company First Sergeant, 1st Staff and Faculty Company at the U.S. Army Aviation Logistics School in Fort Eustis, Va. Eric and his wife, Galayn, reside in Clemmons, N.C., and have two daughters – Tanicia and Erika – and a son Khalil.
Sales Manager
Nate is Joyce Farms’ dedicated Sales Manager and an expert in Joyce Farms' products and offerings. Nate leads our sales team in promoting and educating customers and distributor sales reps about our company and our unique lines of Heritage and Naked products. As a former chef himself, Nate can offer valuable guidance based on first-hand experience, about how Joyce Farms products can compliment a restaurant’s menu, attract repeat business, and enhance back-of-house efficiencies.
Nate's culinary journey started at the age of nine when he surprised his family by asking his grandmother to teach him how to bake a pie. "Grandma’s pie crust planted a seed that grew into a culinary journey," he fondly recalls. A graduate of Johnson & Wales University’s Culinary School, Nate honed his skills as a chef in various restaurants before bringing his expertise to Joyce Farms.
Not only does Nate excel in the world of culinary arts; he is also an avid outdoor sportsman, and you’ll often find him saltwater fishing, big-game hunting, or waterfowl hunting. In addition to his professional and outdoor pursuits, Nate enjoys spending quality time with his two children.
Nate's leadership, culinary expertise, and dedication to supporting responsible farming practices make him an invaluable member of the Joyce Farms team.
Controller
Chris joined Joyce Farms a little over a year ago from the non-profit sector where he was a CFO and Finance Director for 18 years. Today he is responsible for all of our corporate and farm accounting. “It’s been a fun transition and is a great opportunity to be at Joyce Farms,” Chris explains. “It is exciting to see our items in the hands of chefs and those that appreciate our products.” Chris is also a semi-professional musician and can be found most weekends performing various genres of music – from country and bluegrass to rock and jazz – playing the electric guitar, the acoustic guitar, or the mandolin. “Being a musician, I can never be satisfied playing one type of music. It’s kind of like dining – you don’t want Poulet Rouge® chicken every day. Sometimes you want pheasant, or guinea, or grass-fed beef.”
Marketing Manager
Beth Hill is Joyce Farms’ resident specialist in marketing, graphic design, and online content. A native of Atlanta, Beth moved to North Carolina in 2003 to attend Elon University, where she earned a B.A. in Corporate Communications. She then worked at a small marketing agency in Winston-Salem before returning to Elon to pursue a Master’s degree in Interactive Media. Throughout school, Beth worked in several restaurants and gained an appreciation for the role that chefs and restaurateurs play, the challenges they face, and the importance of offering high quality food to customers. She is also passionate about humane animal treatment and responsible environmental practices, both of which helped lead her to join the Joyce Farms team in 2015.
Beth resides in Winston-Salem with her husband McNeal, their two boys, and several beloved pets. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, crafting, music, and photography.
Chief Financial Officer
Doug Sokolowski serves as the Chief Financial Officer at Joyce Farms, bringing a wealth of experience and financial acumen to the team. Doug began his career as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a Salisbury, NC based accounting firm, where he honed his skills in tax consulting, financial management and auditing. He then advanced to Case Foods, where he began as a cost accountant before ascending to the position of Corporate Controller. For the past 16 years, Doug has been the CFO at Freirich Foods, overseeing the company’s financial operations and human resource administration.
Human Resource Manager
Meet Sonny Zackeo, the HR superhero with a quarter-century of experience in management and customer service! (Yes, he’s seen it all and still has LOTS of hair!) Sonny’s mission: to transform mere mortals into workplace legends and ensure companies run smoother than a buttered turkey on a slip and slide. With a background as an Operations Manager in construction, he’s no stranger to building success—literally.
When he’s not busy being the employee whisperer, Sonny’s spending time with his wife, Eileen, or tinkering with one of his six cars.
Since landing at Joyce Farms, Sonny’s found a second family that makes work feel less like a job and more like a sitcom. He’s pumped to keep the laughs rolling and the staff thriving, one epic hire at a time.
