May 23, 2008

Tyson appoints new general counsel

Press Release

Tyson has announced the promotion of David L.Van Bebber to executive vice president and general counsel with immediate effect, serving as Tyson's chief legal officer overseeing all legal matters involving the company.

Van Bebber has more than 25 years of corporate legal experience with responsibilities in such areas as litigation, corporate transactions, international, environmental, management and operational matters, and employment law. He was general counsel and secretary of Lane Processing Companies of Arkansas, and participated in the negotiation and sale of Lane to Tyson Foods in 1986, when he joined Tyson as a corporate counsel. He has since held various officer positions within the company, was the integration manager for Tyson's acquisition of IBP, and most recently served as deputy general counsel and senior vice president of Tyson's legal department.

''Because of his extensive background in legal matters involving the meat and poultry industry and his knowledge of our company, we believe David is well qualified for this position,'' said Richard L. Bond, president and CEO of Tyson Foods.

Van Bebber, who is 52 years old, is a native of DeQueen, Arkansas.  He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas and a law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law.  He is a member of the Arkansas and American Bar Associations as well as the American Corporate Counsel Association, and is currently president of the board of education for the Springdale, Arkansas, school district.