Tyson Foods has suspended John R. Tyson, the company's founder's great-grandson and chief financial officer, following his arrest early Thursday morning on suspicion of drunken driving.
John R. Tyson, CFO of Tyson Foods, was arrested Thursday morning on charges of driving while intoxicated.
The company appointed chief financial executive Curt Calaway as interim CFO, effective immediately after the incident. Calaway has been with Tyson for nearly 20 years, most recently in senior corporate and development roles, according to LinkedIn.
Tyson was arrested by University of Arkansas police and booked around 1:30 a.m. Thursday, according to the Washington County Detention Center. He was released nine hours later after posting $1,105 bail, records show.
“We are aware that Tyson Foods Chief Financial Officer John Randal Tyson has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving,” the company said in a statement. “Tyson Foods has suspended Tyson from his duties effective immediately.”
According to a police report, at approximately 12:46 a.m. Thursday, an officer observed a speeding silver SUV swerving improperly at a traffic light near the University of Arkansas campus. The vehicle then corrected itself after partially driving over curbs and grass. Police conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Tyson, who had bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of intoxication.
According to reports, Tyson initially denied drinking any alcohol. However, after field sobriety tests were administered, he admitted to drinking about five to seven Miller Lite beers at Maxine's Tap Room.
This is Tyson's second alcohol-related arrest in two years. Authorities found him sleeping at someone else's home in November 2022, about a month after he was appointed CFO. He later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of public intoxication and criminal trespassing and was fined $440.
After the incident, Tyson apologized to the company and its investors, saying he was ashamed to take full responsibility for his actions.
“This is an incident that goes against the company’s values as well as my personal values,” he said during an earnings call. “I wanted you to hear this directly from me and know that I am doing everything I can to make sure this never happens again.”
He faces charges of DWI, careless driving, and improper turn or U-turn. His trial date is July 15 at 8 a.m.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include details from the police report and the date of Tyson's court hearing.
