Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Praises Alltech Founder for Innovative Spirit and 'Boundless Zeal for Our State'

FRANKFORT (March 8, 2018) — Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles issued the following statement in response to the death of Alltech founder and president Dr. Pearse Lyons:

Pearse Lyons

Alltech founder and president

“It is with great sadness I have learned of Dr. Pearse Lyons’ passing. Dr. Lyons was, at root, a visionary and an ambassador for Kentucky. When he founded Alltech in 1980, Kentucky agriculture changed forever. The institution he built, the jobs he created, and his boundless zeal for our state lit a spark that spread into a wildfire of innovation for Kentucky agriculture, from animal feed to our beverage, fuel, and industrial alcohol industries. Dr. Lyons also gave generously to numerous philanthropic endeavors and launched a global conference that has become a staple of Kentucky’s spring calendar.

“A dear mentor of mine, he taught me the importance of continuous self-improvement and served as a role model and inspiration. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Deidre; his children, Mark and Aoife; and the entire Alltech family during this difficult time.”