John Tyson (born September 5, 1953) is an American billionaire heir and businessman.[1] He was chief executive officer (CEO) of the family business, Tyson Foods (NYSE: TSN), from 2000 to 2006 and has been chairman since 1998.[2]
John H. Tyson | |
|---|---|
| Born | John H. Tyson September 5, 1953 Springdale, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Education | Springdale High School Southern Methodist University |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Title | Chairman, Tyson Foods |
| Children | 2, including John R. |
| Parent(s) | Donald J. Tyson Jean Tyson |
| Relatives | John W. Tyson (Grandfather) |
Biography
editEarly life
editTyson was born on September 5, 1953 in Springdale, Arkansas.[3] His grandfather was John W. Tyson, the founder of Tyson Foods.[3][2] His father, Don Tyson, was CEO of the family business.[3][2] His mother was Jean Tyson.[3] He graduated from Springdale High School in 1971.[3][1] He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, where he was initiated into the Phi Delta Theta fraternity in 1972.[3] He then transferred to the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.[1] Finally, he transferred to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he received a bachelor of business administration degree.[4][3][1] He attended the University of Arkansas School of Law for a year but dropped out, deciding that becoming a lawyer was not for him.[1]
Career
editHe worked at the family business, Tyson Foods, since his teenage years.[3] In 1984, he joined the board of directors.[3] In 1990, he served as vice chairman and in 1993, as president of the beef and pork division.[1] He was CEO from 1999 to 2006.[4] Since 1998, he has been chairman.[4][3] Under his leadership as chairman and CEO, Tyson Foods acquired IBP, Inc., becoming the world's largest protein-processing company.[3][1] Under his leadership as Chairman, Tyson acquired Hillshire Brands for $63 per share, making the merger the largest deal within the meat industry.[5]
He is a member of the board of directors of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.[6]
He is the founder of the Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas.[7]
Personal life
editTyson is an Episcopalian.[8] He collects art and owns paintings by Willem de Kooning, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.[1] He married in 1987 then divorced in 1998. [1] He lives in Johnson, Arkansas.[9] He fathered two children: John Randal and Olivia Laine.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Barboza, David (2001-03-04). "BUSINESS; Why Is He on Top? He's a Tyson, for One". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
- ^ a b c Tyson Rewards Top Executives After Return to Profit, The New York Times, December 27, 2007
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Phi Delta Theta
- ^ a b c Forbes 2006 CEO Pay: John H Tyson
- ^ "Tyson to acquire Hillshire Brands for $63 a share in cash". www.cnbc.com. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ "Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Announces First Recipient of the Don Tyson Prize: Archives of American Art". Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. 21 September 2016. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ "Architect Magazine". www.architectmagazine.com. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ^ M. Alex Johnson, Walking the walk, on the assembly line , NBC News, 3/24/2005
- ^ "Forbes profile: John Tyson". Forbes. Retrieved 28 April 2019.