Ron Joyce joined the family business in 1971 after graduating from UNC Charlotte with a degree in Business Administration. When he took over leadership from his father Alvin in 1981, Joyce Farms was a regional poultry company focused on volume and efficiency. But as Ron listened to chefs and saw the growing demand for cleaner, more flavorful food, he began shifting the business in a new direction—toward specialty breeds, all-natural practices, and better sourcing.
That pivot laid the groundwork for the Joyce Farms you see today. Under Ron’s leadership, the company moved away from commodity production and toward a chef-driven, quality-first model that focused on flavor, integrity, and long-term relationships.
In 2022, Ron shifted day-to-day leadership to his sons, Ryan and Stuart, while continuing to serve as Chairman of the Board. His focus on doing things the right way—not the easy way—still guides the company’s mission.
Ron divides his time between Winston-Salem and Florida, enjoying the best of both with his wife, Elena.
As President & CEO, Ryan Joyce leads Joyce Farms into its third generation of family ownership alongside his brother, Stuart. Growing up around the business, Ryan spent his early years watching his father Ron build relationships, solve problems, and advocate for better food. That experience left a lasting impression—not just about the importance of quality, but about the people and values behind it.
After earning his degree in Business Management from NC State, Ryan officially joined the team in 2008. He later pursued a JD/MBA from Wake Forest University, passed the NC Bar, and returned to Joyce Farms in 2014 as Vice President of Finance. In 2022, during the company’s 60th year, Ryan stepped into his current role as President & CEO.
Today, Ryan oversees finance, HR, IT, quality assurance, and legal, while also helping guide big-picture strategy and long-term growth. His focus is on building a company that’s financially strong, ethically grounded, and nimble enough to keep evolving—without ever losing sight of its roots.
Ryan lives in North Carolina with his wife Chelsea, their three kids—Harper, Oliver, and Merrill—and their dog Goose. Outside of work, he’s a licensed private pilot and enjoys getting airborne when time allows.
Stuart Joyce is part of the third generation leading Joyce Farms, serving as Executive Vice President & COO alongside his brother Ryan. His role today is built on a lifetime of experience—from working summers in the plant with his dad to overseeing key areas of operations and supply chain.
After earning his degree in Agricultural Business Management from NC State, Stuart joined Joyce Farms full-time in 2010 in Live Operations. He later stepped into the role of Vice President of Operations in 2015, taking a lead in improving efficiency, supporting grower relationships, and ensuring that Joyce Farms could scale without sacrificing quality or care.
In 2022, Stuart became Executive Vice President & COO. He now oversees operations, logistics, plant performance, vendor management, and farm partnerships—working across departments to make sure the Joyce Farms name continues to stand for trust, tradition, and standout flavor.
Stuart’s leadership is hands-on and grounded. He’s known for his calm focus, deep product knowledge, and steady commitment to doing things right, from feed to final delivery.
Outside of work, Stuart is a licensed private pilot and enjoys time outdoors—hunting, hiking, or visiting the mountains. He lives in North Carolina with his wife Samantha, daughter Natalie, son Parker, and their dog Charlie.
Chris Campbell brings over 18 years of experience in financial leadership to his role as Controller at Joyce Farms. With a strong background in the nonprofit sector, he brings fresh perspective and attention to detail to both corporate and farm-level accounting operations.
Chris is known for his thoughtful approach, clear communication, and commitment to getting the numbers right. He works closely with leadership to support planning, analysis, and day-to-day financial health.
Outside of finance, Chris is a semi-professional musician who plays multiple instruments and genres. He sees strong parallels between food and music—both rely on balance, creativity, and rhythm. He lives in North Carolina and enjoys weekends filled with performing and family time.
Jennifer Hamby leads Joyce Farms’ food safety and quality assurance efforts with precision, heart, and high standards. With a degree in Animal Science from NC State and past roles as an NCDA inspector and EIAO, Jennifer brings serious regulatory know-how and field experience to her role.
She ensures compliance with all federal and state regulations, but more importantly, she sets the bar even higher internally. Her goal is simple: keep our products safe, consistent, and always aligned with our mission to produce the best-tasting meat, raised the right way.
Jennifer is known for her clear communication, thoughtful leadership, and no-shortcuts mindset. She works closely with teams across processing, packaging, and leadership to make sure quality isn’t just a checkpoint—it’s a company-wide commitment.
She lives in North Carolina with her family and brings the same attention to detail and integrity to her personal life as she does to her work. Her leadership helps ensure that every product leaving our facility is something we’re proud to stand behind.
Beth Hill joined Joyce Farms in 2015 and has been helping shape the brand ever since—through web content, design, campaigns, and day-to-day storytelling. She brings a mix of agency experience, creative skills, and a background in restaurants that gave her a real appreciation for the work chefs do and the value of honest food.
With degrees in Corporate Communications and Interactive Media from Elon University, Beth focuses on building marketing that’s thoughtful, useful, and rooted in what makes Joyce Farms different. She’s drawn to the mission—supporting flavor, animal welfare, and farming rooted in respect—for animals, land, and people.
She lives in Winston-Salem with her husband McNeal, their two young boys, and a handful of well-loved pets. Most days, she’s balancing family, creative projects, and the pursuit of a little quiet in between.
Eric Ivey keeps Joyce Farms running with military precision—literally. He joined our team in 2011 after a 23-year career in the U.S. Army, where he served as an aviation professional and First Sergeant.
Townsends Inc. - another poultry co. - responsible for safety and environmental compliance and also process safety management (PSM coordinator) for ammonia refrigeration system. Workers comp coordinator - multiple hats there too. Got involved with production and plant operations. 4 and a half years. 2007 March - the co was bought and shut downÂ
As Vice President of Operations, Eric oversees all plant functions from harvest to packaging. He brings a disciplined, efficient approach to operations, while also emphasizing safety and long-term growth. His leadership has helped strengthen systems across the company while ensuring the same high standards every day.
Eric lives in Clemmons, NC, with his wife Galayn and is the proud father of three children: Tanicia, Erika, and Khalil. Whether at work or at home, he’s a steady, trusted presence who gets things done right.
Dustin Lawhon keeps the gears turning—literally. With over 20 years of experience in maintenance and facility operations, he leads Joyce Farms’ maintenance team with a focus on safety, performance, and reliability.
From daily preventive checks to long-term infrastructure planning, Dustin ensures our equipment and systems are ready for whatever production demands. He’s known for his problem-solving skills, calm under pressure, and knack for diagnosing issues before they escalate.
Dustin’s leadership helps make sure production never skips a beat. He brings a practical mindset, clear communication, and high accountability to everything he does—keeping both machines and people operating at their best.
Outside of work, Dustin enjoys the great outdoors, riding his side-by-side, and unwinding with a guitar in hand.
Ismael Murillo joined Joyce Farms in 2019, bringing more than 14 years of experience in poultry processing, including 7 years in production leadership. As Production Manager, he leads with a hands-on, people-first approach—balancing operational efficiency with a strong focus on team morale and product quality.
He oversees daily plant operations, helps streamline workflows, and ensures every product that leaves our facility meets the high standards we’re known for. Ismael’s calm leadership and eye for continuous improvement make him a steady force on the production floor. Whether hitting daily targets or solving long-term challenges, he’s always focused on doing things the right way.
Originally from Southern California, Ismael now lives in Tobaccoville, NC, with his wife Alexandria and their two children, Violet and Ismael. Outside of work, you’ll find him enjoying family time or tackling hands-on projects with the same attention to detail he brings to the plant.
Bio coming soon.
Doug Sokolowski brings decades of experience in finance and operations to Joyce Farms. He began his career as a CPA before moving into the poultry industry, where he held senior leadership roles—including 16 years as CFO at Freirich Foods.
As our Chief Financial Officer, Doug oversees financial strategy and HR administration. His leadership helps ensure operational stability, smart growth, and long-term success across the business.
Doug is a numbers guy with a big-picture mindset. He works closely with leadership to align financial health with the company’s mission: producing the most flavorful, responsibly raised meats in the country.
Sonny Zackeo brings over 25 years of experience in leadership, management, and customer service to his role as Human Resource Manager at Joyce Farms. With a background in construction operations, he knows how to build strong teams, solve tough problems, and keep things moving—even when the to-do list gets ambitious.
At Joyce Farms, Sonny oversees hiring, onboarding, and employee engagement. He’s known for his steady leadership, approachable style, and for sometimes bringing more humor than HR policy requires (which, honestly, works in his favor). Whether he’s guiding a new hire or navigating a tough conversation, he brings clarity, perspective, and a genuine care for people.
Since joining the team, Sonny’s made Joyce Farms feel a little more like home—for new hires and longtime employees alike.
Outside of work, he’s usually spending time with his wife Eileen or tinkering with one of his six classic cars. There’s always something to fix, and Sonny’s always up for the challenge—on the road or in the workplace.
