Jackson is due to resign on January 2, 2011, while Lovette is due to assume his new position on January 3.
Lovette has been president and COO of Case Foods, a Winesburg, Ohio-based poultry processor, since 2008. Before that, he spent 25 years with Tyson Foods including in various senior management roles.
Referring to Lovette’s promotion, Jackson said: "He has a deep knowledge of the poultry business and the market environment, and we believe that he will lead Pilgrim's to continued growth and profitability."