Frank Perdue
Frank Perdue | |
---|---|
Born | Franklin Parsons Perdue May 9, 1920 Salisbury, Maryland, U.S. |
Died | March 31, 2005 (aged 84) Salisbury, Maryland, U.S. |
Other names | Frank |
Occupation(s) | President and CEO of Perdue Farms. |
Franklin Parsons Perdue (May 9, 1920 – March 31, 2005[1]), born in Salisbury, Maryland, was for many years the president and CEO of Perdue Farms, now one of the largest chicken-producing companies in the United States.
Background
Frank was the only child of Arthur Perdue and Pearl Perdue (nee Parsons).[2]
Career
Perdue Farms was founded in 1920 by Arthur Perdue[3] with his wife, Pearl Perdue who had been keeping a small flock of chickens.[4] Their son, Frank, joined the company in 1939 at age 19 after dropping out of college at Salisbury University.[5]
Now recognized as a visionary,[3] Frank Perdue's promotion of the Perdue brand through high-profile advertising resulted in its being the first well-known brand of chicken in the U.S.[6] He turned over leadership of Perdue Farms to his son, Jim Perdue, in 1991.
Perdue Farms developed a specialized chicken-feed that included marigold blossoms, which imparted a characteristic golden yellow hue to the skins of his chickens.[6][7][8][9]
In the 1980s, Perdue twice sought assistance from then-Mafia boss Paul Castellano to fend off a union's effort to represent workers at his company, according to a federal commission on labor corruption.[10]
Advertising
In 1971, Perdue Farm embarked on its first major advertising campaign and had contracted the firm of
Through this advertising, Perdue is credited with creating the first brand for chicken.[3]
Death
According to Perdue company officials, Perdue died on March 31, 2005, after a brief illness. He was 84.[13]
Legacy
In 1983, Perdue received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.[14]
The Franklin P. Perdue School of Business was established at Salisbury University in 1986 and named for Frank Perdue.[15]
In 1991, Frank Perdue was honored with an Edison Achievement Award for his commitment to innovation throughout his career.
Frank Perdue was a patron of treasure hunter
References
- ^ "Poultry Magnate Frank Perdue Dies at 84". WBOC-TV. Associated Press. April 1, 2005. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
- A&E Television Networks. 2005. pp. 5:10. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-471-22917-9.
- ^ "Business Timeline: 1920s". Perdue Farms. 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- ^ "Business Timeline: 1930s". Perdue Farms. 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- ^ a b Nocera, Joseph (December 25, 2005). "Chicken Hawker". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ Pratt, Steven. "`TOUGH MAN` FRANK PERDUE MAY BE A HUCKSTER AND A HUSTLER, BUT". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ^ "These Fields of Gold Are Just Chicken Feed". Los Angeles Times. 2000-08-30. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-12-05.
- ^ Ronald J. Ostrow (January 26, 1986). "More Businesses Dealing With Mob, Panel Says". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ "Business Timeline: 1970s". Perdue Farms. 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-30.
- ^ "Frank Perdue dead at 84". CNN/Money. 2005-04-01. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ "Poultry Magnate Frank Perdue Dies at 84". Retrieved 2018-04-01.
- American Academy of Achievement.
- ^ Salisbury University Archived 2016-12-27 at the Wayback Machine Franklin P. Perdue School of Business
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-12-03.