At Morris, we’re proud of the people behind our mission. Today, we sat down with Kelly Langdon, Morris’ Vice President of Customer Operations, to hear his story about his rural roots and military service to leadership and innovation in the poultry industry.

Where did you grow up?

Just outside of Garner, in Johnston County. I’ve been a local since birth.

Where did you go to school? What did you study?

I went to grade school in Johnston County, then Wake Christian Academy in Raleigh. After that, I attended a tech school and eventually joined the Army. I served for four years and then did some defense work for a couple of years.

When did you first become interested in the poultry and process cooling industry?

I grew up on a family farm, so agriculture has always been part of my DNA. Big animals, chickens, all of it. After the military, I lived in Tennessee and became a licensed Tennessee Walking Horse trainer, which I still am. I never expected to end up in the poultry industry, but I worked for a thermal transfer manufacturing company in Cary for nearly 20 years. That’s where I really fell in love with manufacturing. When the opportunity at Morris came up, it felt like a chance to return to a smaller, more hands-on company environment.

What’s your favorite thing about this industry?

I love seeing things come together, from equipment being made to problems being solved. I couldn’t work for a company that wasn’t making an impact. We’re not just producing parts; if we don’t do our job well, it has real-world implications. I like that kind of pressure.

When did you start at Morris, and what were you doing before?

I joined Morris in July of 2016. I had known about the company for a long time and even visited about 10 years earlier. At the time, Morris was interested in a specific welding process I was familiar with. I honestly thought I’d retire at my previous company but Morris gave me a new challenge, and I couldn’t resist.

What do you do at Morris?

My official title is Vice President of Customer Operations. But really, I see my role as making sure our customers stay delighted and our team has everything they need to be successful. I spend a lot of time supporting my team because if they’re not successful, I can’t be either. I thrive on problem-solving. No two days are the same, and I like it that way.

What originally attracted you to Morris?

The culture. It felt close-knit, faith-based, and genuinely committed to giving back to the community. A lot of places say that, but Morris puts money and action behind it.

How would you describe the company culture?

There’s a high level of mutual respect here. I don’t see the person who cleans the bathroom any differently than someone in leadership. We all provide value and deserve that level of respect.

What motivates you personally?

For me, it’s a God-first kind of thing. That’s my foundation. Beyond that, I love a challenge. Solving problems, pushing boundaries, it drives me even when it drives me a little crazy. It’s not about being right; it’s about solving the problem. Finger-pointing is a waste of time.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

The unknown. With customer service, you don’t always know what challenge is coming, and that’s where I thrive. I also loved working on LineGuard. It didn’t exist when I got here so we built it from scratch. No name, no infrastructure. I love making the impossible, possible.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

My kids. I have two of my own and four more through marriage so six in total. They’re my proudest achievement.

What qualities make you successful in your role?

Thick skin and resilience. If you take this job personally, you’ll quit. In customer service, you don’t hear a lot of praise. Even when you do well, you might hear, “Why wasn’t this done weeks ago?” You have to find ways to stay motivated without outside validation.

What advice would you give someone starting at Morris?

Stay humble and be willing to learn.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I spend a lot of time with my church and church family. Outside of that, I’m usually on the farm grading land, landscaping, or working with animals. A lot of what I do is for charity helping people who can’t afford professional services. Funny enough, understanding big animals teaches you a lot about people. You can’t force a 2,500-pound bull to do anything. You have to give options and make the thing you want them to do the easier path. That lesson translates directly to managing people and business.

What’s a fun fact about you that people at Morris might not know?

Back in Tennessee, a friend and I were building and flying ultralight aircraft. Very amateur stuff. We didn’t know much about aerodynamics, but we built a couple of decent planes from kits. It was wild.