SMITHFIELD, VA. – Smithfield Foods Inc. announced that Vice President of Community Development, Steve Evans, was recognized by Black Business Ink magazine as a “Power 100 Award” recipient for being one of North Carolina’s most influential leaders. Evans was also recently named by Business North Carolina to its Power List 2023, which recognizes the state’s most influential leaders in the private sector.    

According to Smithfield, as a leader of the community development team, Evans has implemented and led community engagement efforts for the company’s US-based operations. His efforts have helped establish partnerships with its employees, local officials, business leaders and community organizations.

“Steve is a remarkable leader who has shown tremendous capacity for serving and supporting our communities in North Carolina and across the country,” said Shane Smith, chief executive officer of Smithfield Foods. “This well-deserved recognition demonstrates the impact Steve has in guiding Smithfield’s outreach programs and strengthening our longstanding partnerships with minority and underserved communities.”

The most recent recognition, the Black Business Ink Power 100 Awards, is part of the publication’s effort to spotlight 100 of North Carolina’s most influential leaders in numerous business sectors and categories of civil servants, from educators and healthcare professionals to politicians and clergy.

Recipients were presented with awards and publicly recognized earlier this month at the annual State of Black North Carolina Conference, where leaders from across the state convene to address disparities in Black and Brown communities.