Career Foundation & Early Leadership

Joan Lee is a veteran finance executive with over 40 years of experience in accounting, finance, and information systems. She began her career in public accounting in 1982 after earning her B.S. in Accounting from Wake Forest University. In 1985, she joined Carroll’s Foods as Corporate Controller, where she led both accounting and information systems. Her expertise and leadership were recognized in 2001 when she was appointed Director of Corporate Accounting at Murphy-Brown LLC, and later promoted to Vice President of Finance in 2010. In late 2019, Joan became Vice President of Finance for Smithfield Foods, Inc., where she oversaw all U.S. real estate operations until her retirement in 2024.

Executive & Industry Impact

Joan is also a long-standing member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA).

Beyond her corporate achievements, she has firsthand experience as a grower, giving her a deep understanding of the pork industry.

Leadership & Legacy

Joan's career has been defined by integrity, operational excellence, and a commitment to building strong, efficient teams. As CEO of VisionAG, she brings this same dedication—championing innovation, a winning strategy, and a people-first culture. Her leadership has sharpened our strategic focus, strengthened our financial foundation, and reinforced the core values that have propelled VisionAG into the nation’s top 40 Pork Powerhouses.

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