Dan Nuckolls and Jimmy Breedlove
The Tennessee Poultry Association inducted their first Hall of Fame members in Nashville. Five distinguished individuals and families were honored for their respective significant and lasting impacts made on Tennessee’s poultry industry.
Immediate past TPA president, Dan Nuckolls of Koch Foods in Chattanooga, made the introductions and is to be credited with initiating the TPA Hall of Fame.
First to be recognized were Fred H. Dawn and his sons Frank Dawn, Charlie B. Dawn and Fred H. Dawn, Jr. of the former Dawn Produce Co. Dawn Produce operated for over 30 years and later became what is now the Koch Foods, Inc. poultry processing plant and facilities based out of Chattanooga, TN.
Lloyd T. “Pop” Burnett, who founded the Burnett Produce Co. in 1948, and his sons, James W. “Bud” and Lloyd E. “Tub” Burnett were also proudly recognized during the induction ceremonies. Their legacy has continued as the Koch Foods, Inc. poultry operations in Morristown, TN, since 1999. Bud Burnett of was on hand for the induction and thoroughly entertained the banquet attendees with his comments.
With an impressive 49 years of former service in the poultry production area, Jimmy Breedlove, of Chattanooga, was welcomed to TPA’s Hall of Fame and was on hand to receive this honor. In 1955, Jimmy started with Loret Mills (which became Allen Farms in 1983) growing and selling chickens to both the Dawn Produce and Burnett Produce companies. He then began working for Dawn Produce, which was later purchased by Zartic Foods and finally by Koch Foods. Jimmy retired from Koch Foods and the poultry industry in Sept. 2004.
Former University of Tennessee Poultry Extension Specialist, Dr. Charlie Goan, has made a tremendous mark on the TN poultry industry and community and was next to be inducted. Charlie began his career at UT in 1971 and officially retired in 2008. Dr. Goan has touched so many lives in so many ways, and continues to be available to the industry and UT when called upon. He and his wife Pat live near Louisville, TN.
TPA Executive Director from 1998-2008, Ann Cox-Eastes was the fifth and final inductee for the evening. Ann was most instrumental in leading the Association toward what it has become today and she is still involved in promoting agriculture and the poultry industry when called upon. Ms. Cox-Eastes and her husband, Larry, live near Watertown, TN.
The Tennessee Poultry Association is dedicated to promoting the commercial broiler and breeder industry, representing over 900 contract growers and the associated poultry companies in Tennessee.
TPA Hall of Fame inductee, Bud Burnett, and Dan Nuckolls