IT is with great sadness that Alltech has announced the passing of its founder and president, Dr Pearse Lyons, who died on Thursday, March 8, due to an acute lung condition that developed during his recovery from heart surgery. He was 73.

“The thoughts of our entire Alltech family around the world are with Dr Lyons’ family, specifically his wife Deirdre, daughter Aoife, son Mark and Mark’s wife Holly,” said CEO and treasurer of Alltech, Alric Blake.

“Dr Lyons was a visionary entrepreneur who transformed the agriculture industry beginning with his innovative application of yeast technology in animal nutrition. From farm to field, from market to family dinner table, our world is immeasurably better because he was a man who never saw problems, only a challenge that had not yet been solved.

“He inspired everyone he met with his energy, enthusiasm and passionate belief in possibilities. He instilled that positivity in his people, more than 5000 Alltech team members around the world. I am confident I speak on behalf of all of them when I say that we are deeply honoured to have known and worked for such a great man. We will resolve to honour his legacy by deepening our commitment to his customers and all the innovative ideas he believed in so strongly.”

To continue driving forward his vision for serving the agriculture industry through field-proven innovations, Dr. Lyons established a clear leadership structure, including; Dr Mark Pearse Lyons, chairman and president, Alric A Blake, chief executive officer and treasurer, and E Michael Castle II, vice president and secretary.

As the company’ director of corporate image and design, Mrs Deirdre Lyons will continue to further Dr Lyons’ vision for Alltech’s global presence and their shared commitment to philanthropy and community involvement.

“We are all deeply saddened by my father’s passing,” said Dr Mark Lyons, Pearse’s son and chairman and president of Alltech.

“He always focused on developing people, and he built an extraordinary team over the years. I know he had full confidence in his team to continue growing the company he built.

“He saw farther into the horizon than anyone in the industry, and we, as his team, are committed to delivering on the future he envisioned. He planted seeds that will produce a bountiful harvest for the world in the years to come.”

Dr Lyons’ family are deeply appreciative of the many prayers and well wishes they have received from friends around the world. At this time, they kindly ask that any expressions of sympathy, including memories and tributes, be shared at alltech.com/pearselyons.