The road to the C‑suite via a car wash: Kevin McAdams's Perdue playbook
By Lauren Young
Published on May 8, 2026.
Kevin McAdams, CEO of Perdue Farms, began his career at a car wash when he was 16. He learned about customer focus through his first job washing cars at a dealership. McAdams also learned about the value of integrity while working as a cashier at the Iowa State University bookstore. He credits his early career to mentors and retired CEOs who have invested their authentic selves into their businesses. Despite initially aiming for a career in law and politics, McAdams chose to run a bread route instead. His passion for customer service, excellence, and world-class delivery.
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