Pure Prairie Poultry Brings Key Executives on Board

Pure Prairie Poultry (PPP) in Charles City has announced the addition of two highly experienced meat industry executives to their leadership team.

The chicken processing operation has hired Karen Moody to lead the company’s people strategies as VP of human resources. Mark Page joined PPP to drive operational excellence as VP of operations.  

In a statement, Brian Roelofs, president, and CEO for Pure Prairie Poultry, said, “There’s nowhere like the nation’s heartland when it comes to work ethic and integrity in everything we do, and I’m proud to say Karen and Mark bring those qualities with them to Pure Prairie Poultry. I look forward to the next chapter with both as part of our leadership team.”

PPP says Moody has decades of strategic and operational experience in human resources, with food companies like Marathon Cheese Corporation, West Liberty Foods, Shearer’s Snacks, and Snyder’s-Lance Inc. 

Page’s experience includes 25 years with Minnesota-based chicken provider, GNP Company. Most recently, he served as VP of operations for egg producer Sparboe Farms and Nature’s Path Foods. Page replaces outgoing COO, Bob Wolfe, who is retiring after over 30 years in the industry.

Pure Prairie Poultry relaunched the Charles City chicken plant last November after the former owners, Simply Essentials, shut down operations four years ago this month.

PPP initially began with production three days a week, but moved up to four days a week in May. Their workforce currently includes about 50 people. The goal is to get the plant operating 24/7 daily with about 250 employees.