Pearse Lyons

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]

Lyons in 2012

Early life and education

Lyons was born and raised in Dundalk, County Louth.[3] He graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) with a first class honours degree in biochemistry.[2] He worked in Harp Lager in Dundalk while at college. Lyons also graduated with a Master of Science in Brewing Science from the British School of Malting and Brewing (now the School of Biochemistry[4]), University of Birmingham in 1968.[5] In 1971 Lyons received a PhD Biochemistry, also from the University of Birmingham.[5] He later started an MBA at UCD, but didn't complete it.[6] He moved to Irish Distillers, which he described as his 'dream job'.[6]

Lyons received an Honorary Doctorate from Heriot-Watt University in 2004.[7]

Alltech

Thomas and his family moved to Kentucky in 1976, to work at the Gems Whisky distillery.[8] 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]

Pearse Lyons Distillery

The Pearse Lyons Distillery opened in St James' Church on Dublin's Thomas Street in September 2017.[18][19]

Personal life

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 his father's death, 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
  1. Name confirmed 20 May 2014, by Lynne Adderton, Alumni and Business Engagement, University of Birmingham
  2. "Who's Who in Irish Business, 2010". Business and Finance. Archived from the original on 23 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  3. "Dr. Pearse Lyons; A Reflection in the Mirror". Irish Examiner. 5 March 2010.
  4. School name confirmed 20 May 2014, by Lynne Adderton, Alumni and Business Engagement, University of Birmingham
  5. Degree confirmed 20 May 2014, by Lynne Adderton, Alumni and Business Engagement, University of Birmingham
  6. Sweeney, Niamh (5 October 2012). "The Lyons Share Just keeps on growing". The Irish Times.
  7. "HW Minutes 2004" (PDF).
  8. Eblen, Tom (8 March 2018). "Pearse Lyons, who built a $3 billion company and brought the world to Kentucky, dies". Lexington Herald Leader.
  9. "Dundalk Democrat". Dundalk Democrat. 16 March 2012.
  10. Bertram, Charles (19 May 2009). "Muhammad Ali appears for charity event". msnbc.com. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  11. "Alltech aims to build Chinese revenue to $1b by '15". Chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  12. Patton, Janet (11 February 2012). "WEG ended 2010 with financial loss despite aid from Lyons, Princess Haya". Lexington Herald Leader.
  13. "Pearse Lyons Sees Opportunities Everywhere". www.chronofhorse.com. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  14. "Alltech opens office in WEG 2014 Normandy HQ - Horsetalk.co.nz". 9 April 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. "Alltech among 10 U.S. businesses to receive national award for support of the arts". Kentucky Arts Council. 26 September 2012. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013.
  17. "Alltech's Dr. Pearse Lyons named Ireland's Business Person of the Year". Dairy Business. 8 August 2014. Archived from the original on 8 August 2014.
  18. "Alltech Announce Pearse Lyons Distillery". global.alltech.com. 18 March 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  19. "Alltech's Irish distillery goes Gothic with restoration of Anglican church". www.kentucky.com. 3 February 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  20. "Richest 300 Irish now worth €62bn". Irish Independent.
  21. Times, The Sunday (29 April 2012). "The Sunday Times Rich List 2012". Retrieved 9 March 2018 – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
  22. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 22 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 August 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2013.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  24. "Alltech Founder Pearse Lyons Receives Award". Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  25. Ward, Karla (26 April 2019). "Alltech executive Aoife Lyons, daughter of company's founder, has died". Lexington Herald Leader.

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