Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:   TSN),<br /> today announced that Steve Hankins has been appointed to the position of<br /> Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and Dennis Leatherby has<br /> been named Senior Vice President for Finance and Treasurer.<br />     Hankins has been with Tyson for 15 years, having served in a number of<br /> increasingly responsible positions in the Company's Finance and Management<br /> Information Services departments, most recently as Senior Vice President,<br /> Financial Planning and Shared Services.  Hankins earned an undergraduate<br /> degree from Harding University and an MBA from the University of Arkansas.  He<br /> is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of<br /> Certified Public Accountants and the Arkansas Society of Certified Public<br /> Accountants.<br />     Leatherby joined Tyson in 1990 as Assistant Treasurer with an extensive<br /> background in the banking industry.  He was appointed Tyson's Treasurer in<br /> 1994, and named Vice President and Treasurer in 1997.  He is a native of<br /> Overland Park, Kansas, and holds  BS degrees in Accounting and Finance from<br /> Kansas State University.<br />     "We're very confident having Steve and Dennis head up an extremely strong<br /> team which already has a great track record in our Finance Group," said Wayne<br /> Britt, Tyson's Chief Executive Officer.   "Each of them has a  combination of<br /> solid financial experience coupled with the progressive, energetic talent that<br /> will carry Tyson into the 21st Century.  Steve Hankins has gained a breadth of<br /> experience in an exceptional tenure at Tyson and has continually demonstrated<br /> his ability to step up to the next level and excel.  We remain committed to<br /> the innovative and successful programs in management information systems and<br /> accounting services which he has played such a major role in developing."<br />     Britt stated of Leatherby, "This promotion is a confirmation of the<br /> increasing responsibilities Dennis has so successfully discharged in<br /> connection with the Company's financial functions.  Dennis has a complete<br /> understanding of Tyson's financial requirements, and this, along with a superb<br /> working relationship with our financial partners will provide the support<br /> necessary for the future success of our company."<br />     According to Hankins, "I'm excited about the opportunity to lead the<br /> experienced financial team we have in place and work under the leadership of<br /> John Tyson and Wayne Britt. Our team will continue its strong focus on<br /> supporting the profitability and growth of our company, and I look forward to<br /> working closely with the management team and our banking and investment<br /> community partners."