Our Leadership

Throughout his 30-plus year career in the food industry, Dave Wiggins has provided leadership to multiple teams, enabling them to overcome business challenges and make informed decisions during arduous and changing times. His leadership style is rooted in his strong work ethic, experience-backed judgement, and unquestioned integrity.

Dave models, and is a strong proponent of, empowerment and accountability. At EDDY and Carolina Pride, he and his team are focused on motivating, mentoring and leading talented professionals. He values leading by example and creating a culture where people are appreciated and performance rewarded.

Dave and the team he is building have a consistent record of delivering results in growth, revenue, operational excellence, customer service and profitability through strategies, vision, goal setting and execution.

When not at work as EDDY Foods’ CEO, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife Michelle and son Wyatt. He and his family enjoy fishing, hunting and all things outdoors, especially the beach. His favorite EDDY Foods/Carolina Pride food items are our Thick Cut Bacon and Beef Fajitas.

Darci Lenehan is a results-oriented leader with over 20 years of progressive financial leadership experience in both public and private sectors. Holding an MBA in Organizational Development, she excels at fostering a culture of engagement, process simplification, and continuous improvement. Darci has developed deep expertise in strategy development, budget administration, forecasting, training, and project management.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Darci is a dedicated family person who embraces the “work hard, play hard” ethos with her husband, Jamie, and their daughters, Morgan and Harper. Her passion for travel and commitment to supporting her daughters reflect her belief in balancing professional and personal life.

Darci’s entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional work ethic make her a valuable leader and a role model within her team, family, and community.

Billy McPherson is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, having worked with notable companies like Advance Brands, Advance Pierre Foods, and American Foods Group. He has a proven track record in leadership, consistently delivering results, meeting profit goals, and successfully launching new products and brands.

Billy places a strong emphasis on people and culture, focusing on developing future leaders within his teams. His experience spans various areas, including Sales and Marketing, customer service, and promotions. He has a history of fostering strong business alliances that drive growth.

Outside of work, Billy enjoys spending time with his wife, Cristy, and their three children. He loves golfing, hunting, and traveling to Destin.

Carlos joined the EDDY Foods team on May 20, 2019—bringing with him 23 years of experience in the food industry. He has worked with a number of major companies and has worked with facilities producing multiple proteins such as chicken, turkey, beef, and pork. Carlos retired from the United States Marine Corps and is a graduate of Northwood University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Associates Degree in Business Management. He is also an SHRM Certified Professional. Residents of Katy, TX, Carlos and his wife, Jinok have two daughters, Isabel and Lizzy. Carlos and Jin love spending time outdoors—especially when participating in some of their favorite activities, which include fishing, hunting, hiking and playing golf. Carlos is a self-proclaimed backyard BBQ master and loves EDDY Foods’ smoked burnt ends brisket.

Michelle Wiggins is a seasoned leader in the protein manufacturing industry, bringing over 20 years of experience to her role as Vice President of Operations, Innovation & Optimization at Eddy Foods, Inc. Her extensive background encompasses food safety, regulatory compliance, research and development, lean manufacturing, technical sales, and P&L accountability. She has held leadership roles at companies including Double B Foods and Syracuse Sausage prior to her tenure with Eddy Foods.

Michelle holds a Master of Science degree in Meat Science & Muscle Biology from Texas Tech University, providing her with a strong scientific foundation that has been instrumental in driving product innovation. Her leadership has been pivotal in the development of a diverse range of products, including raw and fully cooked proteins, soups and sauces, ready-made meals, and unique handheld appetizers.
Throughout her career, Michelle has demonstrated a commitment to excellence and innovation, ensuring that EDDY Foods remains at the forefront of the industry. Her strategic vision and operational expertise continue to contribute significantly to the company’s growth and success.

Wes Cowins is a pilot by education, but a food processor by blood. He has been in the further processed meats industry for over 20 years and has held various leadership roles with industry-leading companies where he has been instrumental in driving growth.

Wes has extensive knowledge of sliced and smoked meats with deep expertise in bacon. He designed, oversaw construction, and managed a Greenfield bacon facility that has become the industry standard. Wes has successfully led many challenging construction, equipment, product, and optimization projects using his knowledge and the expertise of his teams.

Wes is a servant leader and believes in providing resources and knowledge to his teams to enable growth and success. At Carolina Pride, Wes is instilling the culture of doing it safely the right way every time to achieve consistent and quality product. Naturally, he does this while enjoying Carolina Pride Thick Cut Bacon.