Smithfield Foods Veteran Highlight: John Fineran
“Serving in the military has made me a better person, someone who is not afraid to speak his mind and take on challenges,” says John Fineran, 37, a territory manager assistant for Smithfield’s Hog Production Division in West Central Iowa. “That has certainly helped me in my work.”
A lifelong Iowa resident, Fineran was raised in the town of Arthur and enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard in 1997. His father had served in the military, and he was also attracted by the opportunity for tuition reimbursement. Deployed to Iraq in 2001 and Egypt in 2003, Fineran currently holds the rank of staff sergeant.
Married for 11 years, Fineran’s family includes two sons, a stepson, and a stepdaughter. He has worked in the hog production industry for more than a decade, joining Smithfield in 2014 after a friend from the military suggested he apply.
“I oversee approximately 16 contract farming operations,” he explains. “Among my responsibilities, I conduct regular site visits to ensure compliance with our company’s animal care and environmental procedures. I also bring vaccines to growers when needed. I really enjoy the work.”
