Allen Harim announced it has promoted Joe Moran to CEO. Moran, a poultry industry veteran with more than three decades of experience, will oversee all aspects of the company’s operations, including grow out, production, sales and marketing, finance and human resources.
His predecessor Steven A. Evans will return to Perdue as president of Perdue Foods, according to industry reports.
Evans, a long-time Perdue executive, joined Allen Harim in 2013. The Korean company acquired assets from Allen Family Foods and in so doing saved more than 1,000 jobs on the peninsula.
Moran joined Allen Harim in November 2015 as Executive Director and a member of the company’s Leadership Council.
“During his first six months with Allen Harim, Moran has been responsible for efficiently and effectively managing both our grow out and production operations while spearheading major upgrades at our Harbeson, Delaware facility,” said Hong-Kuk Kim, chairman, Harim Group. “His leadership, experience, and innovative approach have helped position Allen Harim for growth, and his commitment to the welfare of our workforce is unmatched.”
Evans, a long-time Perdue executive, joined Allen Harim in 2013. The Korean company acquired assets from Allen Family Foods and in so doing saved jobs on the peninsula.
The company has faced challenges that included opposition to the purchase of a former pickle plant in Millsboro that seemed to be slated for use as a production site.
Allen Harim has since dropped those plans, opting to boost production in Harbeson while closing a plant in Cordova, MD. The production hike in Harbeson, as well as plans in Millsboro, led to opposition in Sussex, a county that is seeing an influx of new residents with no ties to the key industry.
The company did win court battles in the Millsboro case.
Space in the former Vlasic pickle plant is now available for lease, with Allen Harim pledging to continue water clean-up at the site.
Before joining Allen Harim, Moran served as Chief Operations Officer at Mountaire Farms in Millsboro. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from James Madison University. He resides in Ocean View with his wife, Kristy.
