Chamber Celebrates Opening of the Peco Foods New Training Center

Mark Hickman, Peco CEO, addressed the crowd and thanked the Batesville team for honoring his late father, John Herman Hickman, founder of Peco and former CEO, with a bench for the memorial garden.

"It means a lot to me and to my family that you've honored my father with this bench in your memorial garden. He touched so many lives during his time as CEO, and his leadership, vision, and values continue to shape Peco today. I'm deeply honored that you've chosen to recognize his legacy in this way.  He loved flying, he loved this company, our people, and our values, and all of you. On behalf of the Hickman family, we want to thank you for this recognition. It is a lasting tribute to a man who gave his heart to Peco and to all of you," expressed Mr. Hickman. "Today we're dedicating the memorial garden to our longtime PECO employees who are no longer with us and made Peco who we are today, and their contributions will always be remembered." 

Paul Taylor, Plant Manager for Batesville, took the podium to remark about the importance of the day for the local plant, the plant team members, and the community with the official opening of the Peco Training Center, saying, "This new center represents more than just bricks and mortar. It represents an investment in our people. It's a space built for learning, growing, and for unlocking opportunities. Every team member who steps into this building will find the resources that help them develop skills, grow careers, and strengthen our entire operation.

"Training has always been at the heart of our success because when people succeed, our company succeeds. This center is a promise to our team that we are committed to their safety, their development, and their future," continued Taylor. "Today, we officially open the door to growth and opportunity. May this center help shape the future of every team member who walks through its doors."

Mr. Taylor then invited James Pearson, the most senior team member at the Batesville plant with over 45 years and counting, to cut the ribbon and open the training center. 

Peco Foods is the 8th largest poultry producer in the U.S. and family-owned for four generations. For information on how you can become a part of the Peco team, visit pecofoods.com/careers or call (870)-793-7511.

Ambassadors in attendance include: Alexandra McClain (Myers-Davis Life Coaching), Brenda Riveria (First Community Bank ), Christina Watts (LaCroix Precision Optics), Lindy Hopper (First Community Bank), Lori Campbell (Batesville Schools), Michael Kelley (Peco Foods),  Silje Antonsen (First Community Bank), Sydney Wood (Main Street Batesville), Tammy Jeffrey (First Community Bank) and Tiffany Traw (University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville).