Wayne-Sanderson Farms Celebrates National Volunteer Firefighter Day

OAKWOOD, GA (August 18, 2025) –

At Wayne-Sanderson Farms, our strength comes from the dedication of more than 26,000 team members across the Southeastern United States. With many of our operations located in small towns, we understand the importance of being active participants in the communities where we live and work. Supporting these local areas is a shared value held by many of our team members.

Our culture of respect, integrity, stewardship, and excellence attracts individuals who care deeply about making a difference. We often see our team members volunteering their time to improve the lives of others, and one of the most impactful ways they give back is by serving as volunteer firefighters.

These employees are among the first to respond when emergencies happen, whether it’s a house fire, a car accident, or another crisis. They show up ready to serve, protect, and support their neighbors. This type of service speaks to a mindset rooted in responsibility, selflessness, and a deep connection to community.

The same values that guide their efforts in emergency response are the ones that help shape our culture at Wayne-Sanderson Farms. Making Chicken Amazing extends beyond producing a high-quality product. It also means building a workplace where people are empowered to do more, be more, and help others both on the job and in their everyday lives.

In recognition of National Volunteer Firefighter Day on August 18, we are proud to spotlight a few Wayne-Sanderson Farms employees who serve their communities with courage and compassion. Their stories reflect the heart of our workforce and the communities we’re proud to support.

Shelton Cooley
Complex Health and Safety Manager, Collins, MS Complex
Volunteer Firefighter and EMT, Calhoun Volunteer Fire Department

For Shelton Cooley, service to others is a life calling. As Health and Safety Manager at Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Collins, Mississippi complex and a volunteer firefighter and EMT with the Calhoun, MS Volunteer Fire Department, Shelton brings the same sense of duty and care to both of these roles.

“I have always valued and respected the jobs that volunteer firefighters do for their communities,” said Shelton. “I felt like I was at a point in my life where I needed to give back to my community and try to help provide comfort and protection to those around me.”

Shelton’s commitment was put to the test about a year and a half ago, when he and his Assistant Fire Chief, Scott Rushing, who is also a Wayne-Sanderson Farms employee, were the first medical responders at a major vehicle accident near the Collins complex.

“What was dispatched as an overturned log truck turned into a 21-vehicle accident,” Shelton recalled. “The smoke from nearby controlled burns had mixed with heavy fog in the area and led to this accident. We worked hard extricating people and then triaging each one. In the end, all persons involved in that day’s accident went home with their family. That’s the best result that any fireman can wish for.”

Shelton sees a strong connection between the teamwork required in firefighting and the collaboration needed every day at Wayne-Sanderson Farms.

“Teamwork for firefighters is crucial to ensure that the job is done correctly and that all persons involved are safe and accounted for,” he said. “Teamwork is also vitally important at Wayne-Sanderson Farms. Although we have many different departments with different tasks, our common goal is to provide a safe work environment for our employees as well as a quality product for our customers.”

That shared purpose drives Shelton in both his professional and volunteer roles. At work, he leads safety trainings on topics like CPR, first aid, AED usage, and fire extinguisher safety—skills he’s certified in through his emergency response experience.

“Being a firefighter/EMT shares many goals and responsibilities with my role as a safety professional,” he said. “I am asked to help keep our people and facilities as safe as possible.”

Shelton is quick to credit his family and workplace for supporting his dual responsibilities. “Volunteers cannot do what they do for their communities without one very important thing: strong support from their family,” he said. “It’s hard to get up from the table while enjoying a meal with your family to respond to an emergency involving someone else’s family without the full support of your loved ones. My family supports me 100%, and I can’t thank them enough for that.”

He added, “I am grateful to work for a company that supports first responders and our organizations like Wayne-Sanderson does.”

Macey Farinha

Feed Mill Transportation Supervisor, Kinston, NC Complex
Volunteer Firefighter

Meet Macey Farinha, Feed Mill Transportation Supervisor at Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Kinston, NC Complex. Once she discovered volunteer firefighting, serving her community in this meaningful way quickly became a passion.

“I originally found out about volunteer firefighting during one of my Manager-in-Training rotations in the broiler department,” said Macey. “One of the service techs I was riding with mentioned it, and I had never even heard of someone volunteering to run into a burning building. That night I went home, submitted an interest form, and was contacted the next day. After my first few trainings, I fell in love with the job—I knew I would only be moving up from there.”

Since then, Macey has responded to countless emergency calls, but one in particular stands out: a car crash just down the road from her station.

“It was pouring rain and we were all inside the bay when we suddenly heard a loud crash. A vehicle had gone into a ditch nearby. When we got to the scene, I saw a grandmother and her granddaughter in the car. I crossed the ditch and helped get the granddaughter out first. She was panicked, so I got down to her level and worked to calm her down. I made sure she knew she was safe and that her grandmother

would be joining us shortly,” she said. “Thankfully, both of them were okay. Later, the child’s mother pulled me aside and told me how much she appreciated me being there for them. That moment really reminded me how blessed I am to be able to do this job.”

Macey’s experience as a firefighter has shaped her approach to leadership and safety in her day-to-day role at Wayne-Sanderson Farms. “In the fire service, even a small mistake can cost you your life. It’s taught me just how vital teamwork is,” she explained. “It’s the same at the Feed Mill, when there’s harmony within your team, you’re more efficient, and there’s less opportunity for things to go wrong. I carry that mindset into my role here every day.”

With hundreds of hours of fire service training under her belt, Macey has learned from a wide range of leaders, and it’s something she brings into her supervisory role at Wayne-Sanderson Farms. “I want to create genuine connections with my team and help build them up to their fullest potential,” she says.

Serving as a firefighter wasn’t originally on her radar, but it has now become a lifestyle for Macey. “There isn’t much room for balance when it comes to volunteer firefighting,” she admitted. “That means late nights at training, middle-of-the-night calls, and long hours at the station. But my passion and drive for both jobs is what keeps me going—serving the community and the chickens.”

Overall, Macey’s connection to both her volunteer work and career are rooted in service. “I’d say the biggest parallel is that both jobs involve saving lives,” she said. “At Wayne-Sanderson Farms, I help feed families by ensuring a safe and efficient operation. Then, outside of work, I have the chance to support those same families during some of their hardest moments. I truly have the best of both worlds.”

Eric Hooks

Feed Mill Supervisor, Tyler, TX Complex
Volunteer Firefighter

Eric Hooks was inspired to become a volunteer firefighter after witnessing firsthand the difference first responders were making in his community. With a strong family legacy in public service, including his father, Eric felt compelled to follow in their footsteps. He reached out to his local fire department, completed the required training, and officially joined the team.

One of the most memorable and impactful calls he’s responded to was a structure fire in downtown Mineola, Texas. Eric and his team spent 12 to 14 hours battling the flames. Exhausted after the long response, they ended up falling asleep right there on the fire hose in the middle of the highway. Moments like these, he says, are what continue to fuel his dedication to serving others.

Through firefighting, Eric has developed an even deeper appreciation for teamwork and communication under pressure. “Being a firefighter has shown me how important teamwork and clear communication are,” he said. “It’s helped me stay calm, trust others, and always put safety first. Those lessons have carried over into every part of my life and made me a more dependable leader and team player.”

That mindset also defines Eric’s approach to his work at Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Tyler, TX Complex. Balancing his volunteer service with his career is something he handles with a strong sense of purpose and pride. “Serving my community as a volunteer firefighter is an honor,” he said. “It’s about being there when people need you the most. Both firefighting and my job at Wayne-Sanderson Farms require teamwork, commitment, and a desire to help others, so the two roles really go hand in hand.”

Ashley Van Natta, Complex Manager at Wayne-Sanderson Farms, spoke highly of Eric’s dedication. “He has a can-do attitude and doesn’t back down from any challenge,” she said.

For Eric, the connection between his professional and volunteer roles is clear: both require dependability, heart, and a commitment to something larger than yourself. “Whether it’s helping in an emergency or making sure we’re producing a quality product, it takes dedication,” he said. “It’s about doing your part and being there for the team.”

 

These stories are just a few examples of the extraordinary dedication our team members bring to both their roles at Wayne-Sanderson Farms and the communities they serve. Their commitment to helping others, whether responding to an emergency or leading teams in our facilities, reflects the heart of who we are as a company. We are proud to celebrate these volunteer firefighters and the many others across our organization who go above and beyond every day! Their actions remind us that being amazing isn’t just about what we do at work, it’s also about how we serve, support, and uplift the people around us.