Leland Tollett is an American businessman.[1] [2] [3] [4] He served as chief executive officer of Tyson Foods from 1991 to 1998, and as interim CEO in 1999.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1958 and received an MSA from the same university in 1959.[4]
He started his career at Tyson Foods in 1959.[2] He became Chief Operating Officer in 1981.[3] He joined its board of directors in 1984.[1] [3] He served as president and CEO from 1991 to 1995, and as chairman and CEO from 1995 to 1998.[1] [3] He also served as interim CEO in 2009, until he was replaced by Donnie Smith.[5] [6] He is under contract to serve as a consultant to the corporation until he dies.[5]
He has sat on the board of directors of J. B. Hunt, a trucking company listed on the NASDAQ, and Worthen Banking Corp., a financial institution (later acquired by Boatmen's Bancshares, followed by NationsBank and finally Bank of America).[1] [2] He was inducted into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2012.[3]