To celebrate its 100th continuous year of publication, the Tennessee Alumnus magazine selected 100 illustrious graduates to feature in three commemorative issues. Among the distinguished alumni is SigEp brother and Citation recipient Alan Wilson, Tennessee ’80. 

According to the Tennessee Alumnus, 

Wilson attended UT on an ROTC scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1980 and then served in the U.S. Army. Afterward, he worked for nine years at Procter & Gamble.

Wilson joined McCormick in 1993 and served in several managerial roles before taking the top post in 2007.

“We have 26 plants around the world, and I want to get to each of them at least every other year,” he once told Alumnus. “It’s about being with employees—and I always visit local retailers.”

During Wilson’s tenure, McCormick grew in size and profitability. He oversaw the $604 million acquisition of Lawry’s, a seasoning and marinade company, as well as Canadian brand Billy Bee Honey Products.

From 2007 to 2016, Wilson served as chairman, president and CEO of Baltimore-based McCormick & Company, the world’s largest spice producer. He retired Feb. 1 but remains a senior advisor and board director.

Learn more about Wilson’s SigEp Citation.