ALLTECH - Key Persons
As vice chairman of Alltech, Alric Blake chairs the executive committee. Prior to his current role, he served as chief operating officer and also spent four years as CEO, appointed by Alltech's founder, Dr. Pearse Lyons. In this capacity, he was the highest-ranking officer outside of the Lyons family.
Upon joining Alltech in 1996, Blake had direct responsibility for the launch of the global ERP system as the associate director of finance. In 2003, he was promoted to director of finance for Europe and Asia, and, in 2007, he became responsible for the development of group financial and strategic planning. In 2011, Blake became vice president and CFO, with direct responsibility for Alltech's global finance activities as well as managing directorship of the Alltech U.K. office. He was responsible for mergers and acquisitions globally until 2018.
Blake received a degree in business and finance from Peterborough College, and he completed his MBA studies in business and finance at Leicester University in the U.K.
As vice chairman of Alltech, Alric Blake chairs the executive committee. Prior to his current role, he served as chief operating officer and also spent four years as CEO, appointed by Alltech's founder, Dr. Pearse Lyons. In this capacity, he was the… Read More
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- CEO of Alltech Crop Science
As CEO of Alltech Crop Science, Andrew (Andy) Thomas leads a global team that is committed to helping crops reach their full potential, sustainably. With more than 30 years of experience in the agri-food and crop production industries, he combines business acumen with technical and market knowledge to help Alltech Crop Science work alongside farmers and growers to maximize productivity and reduce environmental impact.
Prior to joining Alltech, Thomas was CEO of WISErg Corporation, a circular economy business diverting waste streams to sustainable agricultural inputs based in Seattle, Washington, USA.
Previously, Thomas served in executive management roles for the plant breeding and seed company Nuseed as the business successfully expanded both its geographic footprint from its Australian base throughout the Americas, Oceania and Europe and its pipeline of products across crops and technologies. Preceding his time with Nuseed, he held various roles in Australian agricultural distribution, including Landmark and Wesfarmers.
Over the course of his career, Thomas has led innovation and the launch of new products and businesses globally. He has successfully built and integrated teams and businesses to deliver strong pipelines while driving consistent margin growth in fields spanning agricultural biotechnology, output supply chain and seed treatment. Originally from Adelaide, Australia, with deep family connections to agriculture, Thomas received bachelor's degrees in agricultural science and in economics/commerce from Adelaide University in South Australia. He also completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
As CEO of Alltech Crop Science, Andrew (Andy) Thomas leads a global team that is committed to helping crops reach their full potential, sustainably. With more than 30 years of experience in the agri-food and crop production industries, he combines bu… Read More
Job Titles:
- Chief Product Officer
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Becky Timmons is chief product officer at Alltech, focusing on product development, formulation and quality assurance. She ensures that all Alltech products meet the high standards demanded by the company through its Alltech® Quality System (AQS). AQ… Read More
Becky Timmons is chief product officer at Alltech, focusing on product development, formulation and quality assurance. She ensures that all Alltech products meet the high standards demanded by the company through its Alltech® Quality System (AQS). AQS was established by Timmons to meet or exceed all global and regional standards of quality, and it requires all Alltech offices and production facilities around the world to meet very stringent traceability requirements.
In the area of product development, Timmons works with Alltech divisions, departments and customers to generate ideas and concepts. She oversees several pilot plants and manages a department that includes food scientists, registered dietitians, chemists, microbiologists, fermentation specialists and engineers who work on development and scale up projects.
Timmons originally joined Alltech in 1985 and has held a number of positions both in the areas of quality and new product development, including serving as director of fermentation and director of flavor development. She sits on Alltech's Reputation Overview Committee (ROC) and is also a member of Alltech's Growth Council.
She received bachelor's degrees in chemistry and biology from the University of Kentucky, received a master's degree in brewing and distilling from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland and has completed an advanced business studies program.
Christopher Speight serves as chief financial officer at Alltech and heads the company's global corporate finance, treasury management and M&A functions.
He began working with Alltech on its M&A strategy in 2010 while at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, served as an exclusive advisor to Alltech in 2018 and joined the company full time at its corporate headquarters in Kentucky in 2019.
Prior to Alltech, Speight led Deutsche Bank's global agribusiness investment banking coverage effort. His responsibilities spanned the food value chain, from origination to packaged food and beverage.
Prior to joining Deutsche Bank in 2014, Speight spent 10 years at Merrill Lynch and Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the consumer group. Throughout the course of his career, he had the opportunity to advise on most of the major agribusiness M&A and capital-raising transactions. In addition to his primary work in agribusiness, he has advised on numerous transactions in the broader food and beverage and consumer space.
Born and raised in Iowa, Speight received his bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Iowa. He currently lives in Kentucky with his wife and two children.
Christopher Speight serves as chief financial officer at Alltech and heads the company's global corporate finance, treasury management and M&A functions. He began working with Alltech on its M&A strategy in 2010 while at Bank of America Merr… Read More
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President of Operations
As vice president of operations, Dan Haney oversees Alltech's operations globally, including management of Alltech's manufacturing and/or sales distribution in more than 120 countries. With more than 30 years of fermentation and operations experience, Haney has also served as fermentation director, general manager of Alltech Ireland, which serves as Alltech's European headquarters, as well as global director of manufacturing. Prior to joining Alltech, Haney worked for Coors Biotechnology and as an auditor for the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet. A native Kentuckian, Haney received a bachelor's degree in business from Morehead State University, where he currently serves on the advisory board for the School of Business Administration.
As vice president of operations, Dan Haney oversees Alltech's operations globally, including management of Alltech's manufacturing and/or sales distribution in more than 120 countries. With more than 30 years of fermentation and operations experience… Read More
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder & Director of Corporate Image, Design and Construction
Deirdre Lyons was born in Dublin, Ireland, graduating from University College Dublin in 1970. In 1977, Deirdre moved to Kentucky with her husband, Dr. Pearse Lyons, and their two small children, Aoife and Mark. Aoife held a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and worked at Alltech's European Headquarters in Dunboyne, Ireland. Mark has a Ph.D. in solid state fermentation and is president and CEO of Alltech, having served as executive vice president and head of Greater China since 2011.
Deirdre co-founded Alltech with her husband, Pearse, in 1980 to help farmers feed the world, raise healthy animals and protect the environment through natural, nutritional innovation. Today, Alltech is a $2 billion company with more than 5,000 employees supporting its business presence in over 120 countries. Deirdre is Alltech's director of corporate image and design, which involves carefully architecting, designing and outfitting Alltech's facilities in nearly 100 countries to ensure a consistent brand image.
She has achieved national and international accolades on behalf of Kentucky through her work on the historic Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010; various art initiatives, including the annual Alltech Vocal Scholarship Competition and Alltech Celebration of Song; humanitarian endeavors as far away as Haiti and as close as local primary schools' science laboratories; and numerous leadership boards in Kentucky, including the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, the Kentucky Equine Humane Center, the University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and the Lexington Convention Center.
Deirdre Lyons was born in Dublin, Ireland, graduating from University College Dublin in 1970. In 1977, Deirdre moved to Kentucky with her husband, Dr. Pearse Lyons, and their two small children, Aoife and Mark. Aoife held a Ph.D. in clinical psycholo… Read More
Aoife was an adjunct professor at University College Dublin, Dublin City University and Trinity College Dublin. She received a bachelor's degree in biology and psychology from the University of Notre Dame, a master's degree in women's studies from University College Dublin, a master's degree and Ph.D. from DePaul University and a postdoctoral fellowship at Northwestern University.
In lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging donations to the Pearse Lyons ACE Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that funds a variety of philanthropic endeavours around the world from disaster relief to primary schools in Haiti.
It is with great sadness that the Lyons family and Alltech announce the passing of Dr. Aoife Louise Lyons on April 18, 2019. Aoife was known for her generous spirit and her continual drive to help others. As Alltech's director of educational ini… Read More
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President of Business Development
Dr. Marc Larousse is the vice president of business development at Alltech and manages partnerships and merger and acquisition strategies for the company. He graduated from the National Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort and later received his master's degree in business administration at the Groupe HEC in 1993.
Larousse began his career with Alltech in 1993 as director of Alltech France. From 1997 to 2000, he was the director of Alltech's regional office in Curitiba, Brazil. In 2002, he became director of Alltech Latin America, which involved implementing the corporate sales and marketing strategy within the region.
Additionally, Larousse served as vice president of Europe for Alltech from 2008 to 2011. He has been involved in the merger and acquisition activities of the company since 2011. During this period, he also took on regional responsibilities in the Middle East and for Alltech Crop Science in Brazil and Europe.
Dr. Marc Larousse is the vice president of business development at Alltech and manages partnerships and merger and acquisition strategies for the company. He graduated from the National Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort and later received his maste… Read More
Dr. Mark Lyons grew up in the Alltech business, having traveled with his father and Alltech's founder, Dr. Pearse Lyons, from a young age to visit customers. With experience working in all regions and nearly all departments - before even officially joining Alltech - he has a deep and uniquely personal knowledge of the company. Based on Alltech's belief that agriculture has the greatest potential to positively shape our world's future, he launched the Planet of Plenty™ vision in 2019. He has called for collaboration to provide nutrition for all, revitalize local economies and replenish the planet's natural resources.
Dr. Lyons began his career at Alltech focused on the development of the company's core nutritional technologies. He spearheaded many critical projects, including simultaneously managing the establishment of a plant in Serbia and the creation of Alltech's flagship yeast production facility in São Pedro, Brazil. He also spent nearly four years in Mexico rebuilding the company's solid state fermentation plant in Serdán, which is one of the largest of its kind in the world.
Under his leadership as director of North America from 2009 to 2011, Alltech expanded its presence with the opening of new offices and a growing involvement in all agricultural sectors. In 2012, Dr. Lyons relocated to China, the world's largest feed market, as part of Alltech's focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Living in Beijing and traveling throughout the country, he led the Alltech China office and focused on building bridges between China and the wider industry through research, education and strategic initiatives.
Today, Dr. Lyons is based at Alltech's headquarters in Kentucky, USA. He serves on the CLEAR Center Advisory Council and is active in many industry groups. Dr. Lyons has published papers and patents in areas ranging from enzyme production to global economics and is interested in the assurance of food safety and quality throughout the entire food chain.
Dr. Lyons received his bachelor's degree in political science and environmental science in 1999 from the University of Chicago. He received his master's degree in brewing and distilling in 2001, followed by a Ph.D. in the area of solid state fermentation, at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh in 2008. Dr. Lyons is fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, French and German, and he has a working knowledge of Mandarin.
Dr. Mark Lyons grew up in the Alltech business, having traveled with his father and Alltech's founder, Dr. Pearse Lyons, from a young age to visit customers. With experience working in all regions and nearly all departments - before even officially j… Read More
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Co - Founders
- Irish Entrepreneur Whose Vision for Improving Global Agriculture Built a Multibillion - Dollar International Business, Died March 8, 2018.
Dr. Pearse Lyons, the Irish entrepreneur whose vision for improving global agriculture built a multibillion-dollar international business, died March 8, 2018.
It is with great sadness that the Lyons family and Alltech announce the passing of Dr. Aoife Louise Lyons on April 18, 2019.
Aoife was known for her generous spirit and her continual drive to help others. As Alltech's director of educational initiatives and engagement, she was instrumental in fostering educational opportunities both within Alltech and in local communities around the world, including the prestigious Alltech Young Scientist competition, the world's largest agriscience competition for university students. She created the company's Career Development Program, a highly selective global recruitment and training initiative, and was beloved by these new Alltech team members as their mentor, "Dr. Aoife."
Her expertise in applying neuroscience to business made her uniquely qualified to work with Alltech in regard to hiring practices, team building and multicultural communication. She received her doctorate in clinical psychology from DePaul University in 2001 and successfully ran her own private practice clinic in Chicago for more than 10 years. Her specialized knowledge of human behavior and psychology enabled her to play a special role in shaping Alltech's culture and business practices, which drew people of all backgrounds and walks of life together as one team.
Born on Aug. 1, 1973, in Ireland, she was the daughter of Alltech's co-founders Dr. Pearse Lyons and Mrs. Deirdre Lyons, the sister of Dr. Mark Lyons, Alltech's president and CEO, and sister-in-law of Mark's wife, Holly. Aoife was an integral part of Alltech from its very founding in 1980. The "All" in "Alltech" represents her initials - Aoife Louise Lyons.
She also held a lifelong love of music and the arts. She played the violin from the age of 5, winning many competitions and accolades throughout her musical career. She continued the practice into adulthood, joining friends in playing everything from classical music as part of a trio to contemporary folk music, traditional Irish music and rock.
Job Titles:
- Chief Scientific Officer
- Vice President
- in 1991 As European Director of Research
Dr. Ronan Power is vice president and chief scientific officer at Alltech. Since 2002, Power has been based at the Alltech Center for Animal Nutrigenomics and Applied Animal Nutrition in Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA. He maintains a broad range of research interests related to the application of Alltech products in animal nutrition and human health, with an emphasis on preventing syndromes and diseases associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and gastrointestinal stress.
Power joined Alltech in 1991 as European director of research, initially based on the campus of the National University of Ireland, Galway, where he was an adjunct professor in the Department of Biochemistry. During this time, he also directed Alltech's regulatory affairs division in Europe. In 1998, he re-established Alltech's European Bioscience Centre at its new headquarters in Dunboyne, County Meath, Ireland, where he maintained an active graduate student program through which many Ph.D. and Master of Science candidates have successfully obtained their degrees.
He received a bachelor's degree in microbiology and a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the National University of Ireland. Afterward, he completed his postdoctoral training in cell biology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where he studied aspects of steroid hormone action in reproductive physiology and disease.
Dr. Ronan Power is vice president and chief scientific officer at Alltech. Since 2002, Power has been based at the Alltech Center for Animal Nutrigenomics and Applied Animal Nutrition in Nicholasville, Kentucky, USA. He maintains a broad range of res… Read More
As chief operating officer, E. Michael Castle brings integration to Alltech's operational and support teams globally, ensuring that they work in alignment and collaboration toward the company's ambitious goals for growth and Planet of Plenty™ vision.… Read More
As chief operating officer, E. Michael Castle brings integration to Alltech's operational and support teams globally, ensuring that they work in alignment and collaboration toward the company's ambitious goals for growth and Planet of Plenty™ vision.
Most recently, Castle served as executive vice president at Alltech and CEO of the Alltech Feed Division, which comprises several recently acquired companies that specialize in premixes, complete feeds, nutrition blocks, specialty products and technologies. Appointed to the position in May 2016, he was responsible for the division's focus on delivering greater efficiency, productivity and sustainability to the farm and ranch, and improving companion animal nutrition. Castle also assumed leadership of Alltech's North American commercial efforts in 2018.
Prior to that appointment, he held a variety of roles such as chief operating officer, chief administrative and legal officer, and chief legal officer. Castle has lived and worked for Alltech in England as head of the legal department for Asia-Pacific and Europe. He then returned to Alltech's corporate headquarters in Kentucky to establish a legal and regulatory presence for Alltech globally as chief legal officer.
He received a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering with a minor in mathematics from the University of Kentucky and a Juris Doctor from Washington University in St. Louis.
Castle serves on the Kentucky Chamber board of directors and executive committee.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Gold Coin Group in 2009 As Chief Operating Officer
- President of Asia
Based in Beijing, China, Jonathan Forrest Wilson, president of Asia, is responsible for leading Alltech's strategy within the world's largest feed market.
With more than 25 years of experience living and working throughout the Asia-Pacific and Oceania region, Wilson's career has focused on leading industrial businesses and agribusinesses to help them reach their full potential. He has led businesses with operations on every continent, developing and executing growth-focused transformation strategies, including cross-border mergers and acquisitions, sales, product development, capital projects and technology initiatives in both emerging and developed markets.
Prior to joining Alltech, Wilson was chief operating officer and an executive director of GODACO Seafood in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. He was also senior advisor to Navis Capital Partners Private Equity in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Previously, he was group CEO and a board member of Hong Leong Industries, a
Wilson joined Gold Coin Group in 2009 as chief operating officer and a member of the board, later rising to acting CEO. Gold Coin is one of the largest family-owned feed, premix, animal nutrition, shrimp genetics and poultry integrators in Asia, with sales of over $1 billion. His experience growing Gold Coin Group's business ignited Wilson's passion for advancing innovation in agribusiness and aquaculture. Before working at Gold Coin, he held top management positions as vice president and managing director of Asia at IMERYS and managing director of Asia at Great Lakes Chemical Corporation. He joined Unilever's National Starch and Chemical Company in 1987.
Based in Beijing, China, Jonathan Forrest Wilson, president of Asia, is responsible for leading Alltech's strategy within the world's largest feed market. With more than 25 years of experience living and working throughout the Asia-Pacific and Ocean… Read More
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President
- Vice President of Asia - Pacific
Matthew Smith served as Alltech's vice president of Asia-Pacific from 2011-2019. Working in the feed industry for more than 27 years - 22 of which have been with Alltech - Smith has traveled extensively in Asia, Europe and North America. Smith relo… Read More
Matthew Smith served as Alltech's vice president of Asia-Pacific from 2011-2019. Working in the feed industry for more than 27 years - 22 of which have been with Alltech - Smith has traveled extensively in Asia, Europe and North America.
Smith relocated from the U.K. to become the general manager of Alltech New Zealand in 2009 before being promoted to his regional role. In 2018, Smith returned to live in the U.K., taking responsibility for Alltech E-CO2, the global rumen function platform and Alltech U.K. He also continues to oversee parts of Alltech's Asia-Pacific network.
Smith began his working career on a dairy farm in the U.K. before receiving a business law degree from Coventry University and then a solicitor's final qualification from the College of Law, Chester.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President of Africa
Nick Smit is vice president of Africa for Alltech. He grew up on a dairy and crop farm on the west coast of South Africa, and he attended Stellenbosch University in South Africa, from which he received his bachelor's degree in agriculture, and the Un… Read More
Job Titles:
- Chief
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Officer
- Chief Culture Officer
Orla McAleer is the chief culture officer at Alltech. In this role, she works to strengthen the company's emphasis on its people and purpose. She has worked in the business for over 20 years, traveling extensively, building teams and close relationsh… Read More
Patrick Charlton is vice president of Europe at Alltech, overseeing all of the company's European business. Previously, he was CEO of Alltech Coppens, a specialist aquaculture feeds company, which was acquired by Alltech in 2016. Over the 30 years h… Read More
Job Titles:
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
- Vice President of Latin America
Paulo Rigolin is vice president of Latin America at Alltech. Most recently, he was the strategy director for Latin America, a position he held since his relocation to Brazil in 2017, where he worked intensely on the integration of Guabi into the glob… Read More
Job Titles:
- Gerente General Cono Sur
- Southern Cone General Manager
Job Titles:
- Global Vice President of ESG
Tara McCarthy is global vice president of ESG at Alltech and supports the company's advancement of its vision of Working Together for a Planet of Plenty™, which focuses on three key pillars of planetary well-being - economic, environmental and social… Read More
Job Titles:
- Sales Representative / Valentino