Clint Rivers resigned Tuesday from his position as president and chief executive officer of Pilgrim's Pride, the Pittsburg, Texas-based processor announced.

The board of directors named Don Jackson, former president of Foster Farms' poultry division, as Rivers' successor. He also will assume the responsibilities of Robert A. Wright, the former chief operating officer of Pilgrim's, who resigned Tuesday as well.

Chairman Lonnie Ken Pilgrim will step in as interim president until Jackson's appointment is approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas. Pilgrim's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Dec. 1.

"As Pilgrim's Pride begins the reorganization process, we believe the company and its stakeholders would be best served by a fresh perspective on the opportunities available to us through restructuring," Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim, senior chairman of Pilgrim's Pride, said in a statement.

In addition to serving as president of Livingston, Calif.-based Foster Farms' poultry division since 2000, Jackson also has served as executive vice president for foodservice for the former ConAgra Poultry Company in Duluth, Ga., and as president and CEO of the poultry division for Seaboard Farms in Athens, Ga.

Pilgrim's shares fell 10 cents to 76 cents in mid-day trading on the New York Stock Exchange. At this time last year, the company's shares were trading at $29.29.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.