Tyson Foods manager suspended after drunk driving arrest

Tyson Foods has suspended John R. Tyson, chief financial officer and great-grandson of the company’s founder, after he was arrested for drunk driving on Thursday morning.

Tyson, 34, was arrested early Thursday by University of Arkansas police in Fayetteville, Arkansas, police records show. He was also charged with careless driving and illegal turning. He was released from custody later Thursday on $1,105 bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 15.

Tyson Foods, based in Springdale, Alaska, said in a statement Thursday that it was aware of the arrest and immediately suspended John R. Tyson, the son of Tyson Foods CEO John H. Tyson and a former investment banker who joined Tyson Foods in 2019.

Tyson Foods appointed Curt Calaway as interim CFO. Calaway has been with Tyson for 18 years and most recently served as treasurer and senior vice president of finance and corporate development.

It was the second time in less than two years that John R. Tyson was arrested on alcohol-related charges. In November 2022, he was charged with public intoxication and trespassing after allegedly entering a stranger’s home in Fayetteville and falling asleep in her bed, according to AP News.

Tyson apologized for the incident in an email to the entire company, saying he was ashamed and was currently attending treatment for alcohol abuse. He later pleaded guilty and paid fines and court costs.