John H. Tyson
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) |
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, from 2000 to 2006 and has been chairman of the board since 1998.[2]
Biography
Early life
Tyson was born on September 5, 1953, in Springdale, Arkansas. His grandfather was John W. Tyson, the founder of Tyson Foods.[2] His father, Don Tyson, was CEO of the family business.[2] His mother was Jean Tyson. 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 (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, where he received a bachelor of business administration degree.[1][4][3] 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
He worked at the family business, Tyson Foods, since the age of 13.[4] 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 2000 to 2006.[4] Since 1998, he has been chairman.[3] Under his leadership as chairman and CEO, Tyson Foods acquired IBP, Inc. in 2001, becoming the world's largest protein-processing company.[3][1] In June 2014, under his leadership as chairman, Tyson acquired Hillshire Brands for $63 per share, making the merger the largest deal within the meat industry.[5]
John and other senior managers helped develop Tyson Foods’ “Core Values.”[6][7] He also created the company's first Executive Diversity Business Council.[7]
He is a member of the board of directors of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.[8] In 2012, the museum received a $5 million donation from the Tyson family and Tyson Foods, Inc., to establish the Tyson Scholars of American Art program and the Don Tyson Prize.[9] In 2016, the museum received a $200,000 Don Tyson Prize.
He is the founder of the Blessings Golf Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas, which opened in 2004.[10][11] Tyson gave “much of the input on the course design” according to Robert Trent Jones Jr., a golf course architect for Blessings.[12]
Tyson is a member of the University of Arkansas System's Board of Trustees.[7] He is also Committee Chairman of the University of Arkansas Capital Campaign for the 21st Century.[3][13]
He is also on the board of directors of the Walden Woods Project.[3]
Personal life
Tyson is an Episcopalian.[14] Like his late father, he collects art and owns paintings by Willem de Kooning, Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.[1][4] He married in 1987 then divorced in 1998.[1] He lives in Johnson, Arkansas.[4] He has two children: John Randal and Olivia Laine.[4] Effective May 2025, both of his children were named as directors of Tyson Foods’ board.[15]
In 2006, Tyson received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship.[3][16] In 2011, he was included on Arkansas Business’ “Power List.”[17]
Tyson is also a long-time fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks.[18] In 2024, Tyson played “a key role” in bringing the new Arkansas men's basketball head coach, hall-of-famer John Calipari, to the school.[19] In March 2025, Tyson donated $5 million to create a NIL budget for Calipari to help recruit players.[20][18]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 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.
- 1 2 3 Tyson Rewards Top Executives After Return to Profit, The New York Times, December 27, 2007
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "John Tyson". Phi Delta Theta. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "John Tyson & family". Forbes. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ "Tyson to acquire Hillshire Brands for $63 a share in cash". www.cnbc.com. 9 June 2014. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ↑ "John Tyson Net Worth, Biography, and Insider Trading". www.insidertrades.com. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- 1 2 3 "Board Members". Walton College. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ "Newsroom | Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art". Crystal Bridges. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ "Architect Magazine". www.architectmagazine.com. Retrieved 20 December 2018.
- ↑ Gatling, Paul (2019-04-10). "Big moment arrives for Blessings Golf Club, Johnny Tyson". Talk Business & Politics. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ "Blessings' reputation represents 1st hurdle | Whole Hog Sports". www.wholehogsports.com. 2019-05-16. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ "University of Arkansas Reaches $1 Billion Goal; Tyson Foods Foundation Gift Seals Campaign's Success". University of Arkansas News. 2005-06-22. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ M. Alex Johnson, Walking the walk, on the assembly line , NBC News, 3/24/2005
- ↑ "Two family members added to Tyson Foods' board". Talk Business & Politics. 2025-05-08. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ "Woodrow Wilson Center to Honor Kathryn W. Davis and family and John H. Tyson for Contributions to U.S.-Russian Relations | Wilson Center". www.wilsoncenter.org. 2006-08-15. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ "Power List Dotted with Northwest Arkansas Names". Talk Business & Politics. 2011-04-04. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- 1 2 "I'm $3bn chicken farm guru funding Arkansas' NCAA run with $5m NIL budget". talkSPORT. 2025-03-27. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ Hudson, Dillon (2024-04-13). "John Calipari's relationship with John Tyson helped bring the hall of fame coach to the Razorbacks". KHBS. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
- ↑ Christovich, Amanda (2025-03-22). "Arkansas–St. John's Showcases New Winning Formula in NIL Era". Front Office Sports. Retrieved 2026-08-26.