Tyson Foods CFO faces suspension after second arrest, interim CFO intervenes

Tyson Foods’ chief financial officer has been suspended from his post following his arrest Thursday morning for suspected drunken driving (DWI), Fox News reported.

Authorities arrested 34-year-old John R. Tyson in Arkansas and booked him into the Washington County Detention Center on a DUI charge. He faces two more charges, according to Fox News. Tyson Foods, which was founded by his great-grandfather, issued a statement confirming the incident and announcing that Curt Calaway would step in as interim CFO.

Tyson Foods CFO arrested for drunk driving and reckless driving https://t.co/pAxz7GbtAw pic.twitter.com/aLW10ElsdD

— FOX16 News (@FOX16News) June 13, 2024

“We are aware that John Randall Tyson, chief financial officer of Tyson Foods, was arrested for alleged drunken driving,” Tyson Foods said in a statement reported by Fox News. “Tyson Foods has suspended Mr. Tyson from his duties effective immediately and appointed Curt Calaway as interim chief financial officer.”

Tyson is scheduled to have a court hearing in Fayetteville District Court on Friday in connection with his recent arrest, the news outlet said. This is not Tyson’s first run-in with the law, Fox News reported. Early last year, he pleaded guilty to public intoxication and trespassing after he was found sleeping in a stranger’s home on November 6, 2022. During a conference call shortly after that incident, Tyson apologized for public intoxication and trespassing. (RELATED: ‘Eradicate the American Dream’: Vance criticizes food company for allegedly replacing Americans with illegal immigrants)

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 21: John R. Tyson, EVP, Strategy and Chief Sustainability Officer, Tyson Foods; speaks onstage during the Battle for Food: Value Chains and Partnerships at the 2022 Concordia Annual Summit – Day 3 at the Sheraton New York on September 21, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Concordia Summit)

“I am embarrassed and want you to know that I take full responsibility for my actions,” he said in a statement reported by Fox News. “This was an incident that was not consistent with our company’s values ​​nor my personal values.”

Tyson Foods reported its quarterly results in early May, with Tyson actively participating alongside CEO Donnie King and other executives. The company posted second-quarter revenue of $13.02 billion and net income of $145 million. Tyson Foods had a market capitalization of around $19.15 billion as of Thursday afternoon, according to Fox News.