As Director of EHS, Mr. Hopkins will be working with the operations, supply chain, quality, and human resources teams to develop programs and practices for over 30 areas of our business. Although he will not be responsible for carrying out all of the tasks to fulfill Tip Top’s responsibility, he will verify their work to ensure compliance.

“His role is critical to the community around the plants, the folks downstream from our plants, and the people working at the plants,” said Tip Top’s Executive Vice President, Brad Respess. “Over the last few years, Matt has been instrumental in improving our waste water operations, capturing additional value for various sales program, and improving the quality of the storm water that flows from our properties. We look forward to his contribution in these new responsibilities.”

“We are committed to providing a safe working environment for all of our team members in Rockmart,” said company Executive Vice President Brad Respess. “I am thankful that the Georgia Department of Labor has recognized and honored the efforts of our Rockmart plant management, supervisors, and line employees. Their ongoing efforts have resulted in a continual improvement of the working environment for our people.”

Tip Top Poultry is a family owned and operated business headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. Since 1947 the company has been run with the purpose to “honor God in how we run our business, serve our customers, treat our employees, and relate to our vendors. Simply put, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’”

“One fundamental need of any employee is to be provided a safe working environment,” said company Executive Vice President Brad Respess. “Our corporate safety manager, Doug Cash, leads a team comprised of plant senior management, supervisors, and line employees to address safety issues. Their ongoing efforts have resulted in a continual improvement of the working environment for our people. I am thankful that the Georgia Department of Labor has recognized and honored their efforts.”

Tip Top Poultry is a family owned and operated business headquartered in Marietta, Georgia. Since 1947 the company has operated with the purpose to “honor God in how we run our business, serve our customers, treat our employees, and relate to our vendors. Simply put, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’”

Bruce Withrow, Director of Category Management Center of the Plate at GFS, said ” Tip Top Poultry has been a quality supplier of GFS Branded Products for many years with outstanding customer support.  Flexibility and a commitment to high service are the best way to describe how Tip Top Poultry reacts to Gordon Food Service and our customer’s needs.”   

Tip Top’s President, Robin Burruss, summarized the night when he said, “The team at Tip Top Poultry is committed to providing award winning customer service to all of our customers including Gordon Food Service. Participating in the GFS VIP program has helped us improve in key areas that determine service excellence for food service customers across North America. This honor confirms that the program at GFS works and that our people have been successful in making Tip Top a customer centric company.”

Local artist and long-time friend to the family of Tip Top, Laura Kirkland, created “Lil Chic-a-ccino” to display along with other “Lil Chickens” at the historic square of Marietta during the late summer months of 2008. After the display period, an auction will be held and the proceeds for the sale of “Lil Chic-a-ccino” will benefit MUST Ministries. MUST Ministries is a local faith-based organization which helps individuals and families in times of crisis.

The team was established to fulfill the enduring vision of the late A.L. Burruss who said, “God put us here to do more than just pluck chickens!”

“I am pleased to announce the latest version of our lifelong commitment to our people,” said company president Robin Burruss. “In the past we have had part time people working as company chaplains, but I am very pleased to announce we have hired 2 new people that will work strictly for Tip Top to assist our people. They will help each of our many employees be more successful in all areas of life: physical, mental, and spiritual. They are here to serve the needs of our people and to help each of us develop in every area of our lives.”

The team will be led by Lynn Ward, Employee Development Manager. Prior to joining Tip Top Poultry in her new position, Lynn worked part time with Marketplace Ministries serving in several local businesses and part time in various roles at Tip Top Poultry.

A.L. Burruss served his community through elected public office and business in addition to personal commitments. During his 22-year career in public service in Georgia, he gave special attention to the communities of Northwest Georgia. A.L. Burruss’ career in the Georgia General Assembly was devoted to providing a better standard of living for all Georgia citizens. His dedication to the state of Georgia and its citizens is now carried on through the A.L. Burruss Institute of Public Service at Kennesaw State University. (Credit: A.L. Burruss Institute of Public Service & Research at Kennesaw State University)

The bee that one sees had its origins with Tip Top over three decades ago. It was first printed on Tip Top’s “Top Bee” individually bagged baking and stewing hens. Although the hens were Tip Top’s “B” grade, their quality level was in fact higher than many competitor companies’ “A” grade hens. In fact, it was so high that the “Top Bee” became synonymous with the high quality expected with any product from Tip Top Poultry.

The “Top Bee” hen continues to be America’s leading brand of baking and stewing hens and may be found in your local grocer’s meat department.

The company’s values are built on 3 pillars: Quality, Service and Relationships. By focusing on these foundational blocks, the company has been a successful business since the two owning families acquired it in 1954. Tip Top Poultry will use the “Top Bee” as a friendly reminder of its long-standing commitment to produce industry-leading quality products.

“In addition to serving our current customers, Tip Top stands ready and has a strong desire to serve the former customers of Chestertown Foods,” said Robin Burruss, the president of Tip Top Poultry, Inc. since 1986. “We have been cooking poultry products since 1988 in our Rockmart, Georgia, plant and continuously renovate and expand our facilities to improve food safety, quality and capacity. Today, our product lines range from cooked fowl, broiler and turkey meat, to chicken broth, rendered chicken fat, and cooked mechanically separated chicken.”

As part of its commitment to reducing risk for Tip Top’s customers, AIB International, a widely known and highly regarded third party audit firm, conducts an annual food safety audit of its facilities. Yesterday, AIB International, gave the Rockmart, Georgia, facility of Tip Top Poultry a “Superior” rating. The “Superior” rating is the highest level rating given to a food processing facility when measured against the AIB Consolidated Standards for Food Safety.

“The AIB audit thoroughly covered every aspect of our operation and it continues to be more in-depth each year,” commented Jody Billups, Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs at Tip Top Poultry. “The Superior rating reflects the fact that our team is dedicated to producing safe and quality products.”

According to its mission statement, AIB International is committed to protecting the safety of the food supply chain and delivering high value technical and educational programs. Visit the AIB website to learn more.

Mr. Stroud is a life long Cobb County resident, who most recently served as Chief People Officer for Thompson Technologies, and has over 30 years experience in Human Resources at several of Atlanta’s more prestigious companies. “I am excited to take an excellent Human Resources function at Tip Top Poultry. We plan to bring a stronger focus on creating a culture that strengthens business results through effective use of human capital. We will also work to increase employee engagement through a caring culture.

Prior to joining Thompson Technologies, Mr. Stroud was with ChoicePoint for thirteen years as Director of Talent Development. Prior to ChoicePoint, he was the Human Resources Manager for metro Atlanta with Coca-Cola Enterprises where he worked for over twenty years.

Mr. Stroud has a passion for giving back, as evidenced by his role as Chairman and President of JobSeekers of Cobb County; an organization he founded eight years ago which meets every Tuesday at The Varsity and has served thousands in career transition. He has also directed United Way March of Dimes drives and participated in the building of several Habitat for Humanity homes in metro Atlanta.