Poultry Industry News

Economics Arkansas to Present Excellence in Free Enterprise Awards to George Family, Simmons Family

LITTLE ROCK – Economics Arkansas will present the 2019 Excellence in Free Enterprise Awards to the George Family of George’s Inc., Springdale, and the Simmons Family of Simmons Foods Inc. & Affiliates of Siloam Springs. The families will be honored during a gala luncheon at the Holiday Inn Northwest Arkansas Convention Center in Springdale on October 7. 

Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson will deliver the keynote address. Superior Automotive Group is serving as presenting sponsor.

“It is truly meaningful to honor the George family and the Simmons family,” said Kathleen Lawson, Economics Arkansas executive director. “Each family expanded the original small family business into some of the largest poultry companies nationwide. They are fierce competitors, yet very close friends. Both their successes, and their close friendships, have been made possible by the American free-market economy, which is what we celebrate with the Excellence in Free Enterprise Awards.”

Founded in the 1920s by C.L. George and his sons, George’s Inc. has grown from a small local business into one of the top 10 largest vertically integrated chicken producers in America that offers a diversified protein assortment beyond poultry. Carl and Charles have led the fourth generation of George’s, Inc. from its Springdale headquarters into success and growth since 2013.

Celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, Simmons Foods Inc. & Affiliates of Siloam Springs was founded by Bill Simmons in 1949. Still a family-owned and -led business, the company employs more than 7,000 members as one of the nation’s leading supply of poultry, pet and animal nutrition products.

Since 2012, the Excellence in Free Enterprise Awards have been presented to exceptional individuals whose entrepreneurial spirit and business acumen have improved the lives of countless people across the region, the nation and the world. Previous recipients include Sam Walton (posthumously), J.B. and Johnelle Hunt, Don Tyson (posthumously), Mike Duke and Governor Asa Hutchinson. 


 Source: Economics Arkansas

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