Thomas Pearse Lyons[1] (3 August 1944 – 8 March 2018) was an Irish businessman and the founder and President of Kentucky-based Alltech Inc., an American animal health and nutrition company that is centred on innovation, research and development.[2] Lyons was considered an "entrepreneur, salesman, marketer and scientist all rolled into one", and was widely regarded in the agribusiness sector as an innovator and industry leader.[2]
In October 1980, Lyons set up Alltech in his garage, with an initial investment of $10,000.[3][8] Lyons used his fermentation expertise to continue helping brewers,[3] and the business was profitable by Christmas.[6] Within the first year, Alltech did a million dollars' worth of business.[6]
A few years later, Lyons turned his attention to animal feed in the belief that yeasts, enzymes and certain bacteria could help animals use feed more efficiently.[9]
In May 2009, Alltech and the Muhammad Ali Center announced the creation of a joint charitable fund, the Alltech-Muhammad Ali Center Global Education and Charitable Fund.[10]
In 2011, Alltech invested $9.5 million in its Tianjin facility.[11] Alltech was the title sponsor of the 2010 FEI World Equestrian Games held in Lexington, Kentucky.[12][13] Alltech also committed to sponsor the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy.[14] In 2011, Alltech opened the Alltech Algae facility, located in Winchester, Ky. and the company is pursuing algae's applications in animal and human nutrition.[15]
In 2012, Alltech was named to a top-10 Best Companies Supporting the Arts in America by the Americans for the Arts. The company received the award for its support of the local arts, its statewide music festival – the Alltech Fortnight Festival – in conjunction with the Games, its annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and its incorporation of the arts into its Sustainable Haiti Project.[16]
Lyons also established Alltech's Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company, which includes a line of beers and spirits. In 2012, Alltech partnered with Ireland's Carlow Brewing Company to begin distilling its first genuine Irish whiskey.[17]
Lyons met Deirdre Byrne when he was 17 and they were married in 1972.[8] They had a daughter, Aoife, in 1973 and a son, Mark, in 1977.[8]
In 2012, Lyons’ wealth was estimated to be in the region of €1.5bn[20] and according to the Sunday Times Rich List[21] he was the sixth richest Irish person.
Lyons authored more than 20 books and many research papers for scientific journals.[22]
Lyons was named Business Person of the Year in 2012 by Business and Finance in Ireland.[23] Also in 2012, Lyons received the Ireland-US Council's Award for Outstanding Achievement for strengthening economic ties between the United States and Ireland.[24]
Lyons died on March 8, 2018,[8] after which his son Mark took on the roles of President and chairman at Alltech.[8] His daughter Aoife Lyons, Alltech's director of educational initiatives and engagement, died on April 18, 2019.[25]
References
^Name confirmed 20 May 2014, by Lynne Adderton, Alumni and Business Engagement, University of Birmingham
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