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Sanderson Farms Names Southern Miss Alumna Communications Manager
University of Southern Mississippi alumna Ashley Rea (formerly Ashley Cockerham) has recently been named Communication Manager at Sanderson Farms, a position responsible for leading the company’s newly-formed Corporate Communication Department and all of its associated responsibilities.
Rea will continue to serve as Managing Editor of the Sanderson Farms Newsletter, a bimonthly publication reaching more than 300,000 annual readers across 43 different states.
Aside from her duties as an editor, she will be responsible for identifying and executing strategies related to the company’s approach to media relations and corporate communication. More specifically, Rea will work closely with media organizations and industry trade associations to further the long-term interests of Sanderson Farms and the poultry industry.
In addition to spearheading the company’s communication efforts, Rea will ensure adequate internal communication is maintained amongst the company’s nearly 12,000 employees spanning across 21 divisions in five states and 13 different cities.
Rea is a summa cum laude graduate of Mississippi College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. After graduation, Rea pursued a graduate degree at the University of Southern Mississippi, where she received a Master of Science degree in Public Relations.
During college, Rea received many writing and academic research awards, gaining conference acclaim for her research by the Southeastern Journalism Conference and the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. In 2013, she was awarded by the University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Mass Communication and Journalism for the Best Public Relations Campaign and Best Research in Public Relations.
Rea began her career with Sanderson Farms in 2013 as a summer Intern before being hired as a Communications Trainee, a position she has held until her promotion. As Communications Trainee, Rea served as Managing Editor of the Sanderson Farms Newsletter, a role accountable for all writing, editing, photography and graphic design responsibilities associated with publishing a bimonthly periodical.
Prior to joining Sanderson Farms, the central Louisiana native completed internships with the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Division of Public Affairs, as well as the Mississippi-based advertising agency, Godwin Group’s Department of Public Relations.
She and her husband Alex, who also works for Sanderson Farms as a Beginning Trainee, currently reside in Ellisville, Mississippi. In her spare time, Rea enjoys horseback riding, competing in horse shows, singing and spending time with family.
Sanderson Farms, Inc., founded in 1947, is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items. Employing more than 11,000 employees in operations spanning five states and 13 different cities, Sanderson Farms is the third largest poultry producer in the United States.
About The University of Southern Mississippi
Founded in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi is a comprehensive doctoral and research-driven university with a proud history and an eye on the future. A dual-campus university, Southern Miss serves students on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, in addition to five teaching and research sites in Mississippi and through Online at Southern Miss. Since 2006, Southern Miss students have collected seven Goldwater Scholarships, three Truman Scholarships and 14 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships. Our Center for Undergraduate Research affords our students meaningful research opportunities, and as a proven leader in innovation, we conduct transformative research that translates into real-world solutions. As one of a select number of institutions in the nation accredited in art, dance, music and theatre, we are a haven for creativity and artistic expression. In the classroom or lab, on the playing field, or in the performance hall, we strive to have a positive impact not only on our students, but also the world around us. Further information is found at www.usm.edu.
