Scott Simplot
Scott Simplot | |
|---|---|
| Education | B.A., Business (1968) - University of Idaho MBA (1973) - University of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation | businessman |
| Employer | J.R. Simplot Company |
Scott Simplot (born 1947) is the chairman and chief executive officer of the J.R. Simplot Company and the wealthiest man in Idaho.
Early life and education
Simplot is the youngest son of J.R. Simplot, the founder of the J.R. Simplot Company, a diversified agriculture company. He received a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Idaho in 1968 and went on to earn a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1973.[2][1][3]
Career
Simplot first obtained a seat on the J.R. Simplot Company board of directors in 1970 and was hired as the company's director of planning and information technology in 1973, following his graduation from Wharton. He was quickly promoted to more senior positions and became chairman of the board of directors in 2001 after he reportedly "pushed out" his father, J.R.[4][1][2][5]
In addition to his seat on the Simplot board, he also serves on the boards of directors of nearly a dozen other companies. In 2016, Forbes named him the wealthiest man in Idaho, with an estimated net worth of $2.1 billion.[1][2]
Personal life
Simplot's personality has been described as markedly different from his gregarious father, with Bloomberg writing that he is "unassuming, with a thoughtful, almost professorial air". He is divorced and has two daughters. His sister, Gay Simplot, is divorced from the governor of Idaho, Butch Otter.[6]
In 2004 Simplot received an honorary doctorate from the University of Idaho.[3]
Political activities
In federal politics, Simplot made a $250 donation to the 1992 senatorial campaign of Dirk Kempthorne and, four years later gave $500 to the presidential campaign of Lamar Alexander.[7] Between 2001 and 2014 he had not donated any money towards Idaho state races, according to the National Institute on Money in State Politics.[8] In 2011, Lauren McClean reported Simplot had donated money to her unopposed campaign for the Boise city council.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d Sola, Katie (25 May 2016). "The Richest Person In Every Western State". Forbes. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ a b c "Scott R. Simplot". bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Outstanding Alumni: Scott R. Simplot Honorary Doctor of Administrative Sciences". uidaho.edu. University of Idaho. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
- ^ Anders, George (1 November 2016). "J.R. Simplot keeps potato business all in the family". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ Zuckerman, Lawrence (8 February 1996). "From Mr. Spud to Mr. Chips;The Potato Tycoon Who Is the Force Behind Micron". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ Gogoi, Pallavi (7 March 2007). "The Man Behind the Cloning Movement". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ "Donor name: Scott Simplot". opensecrets.org. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
- ^ Casey, Lindsay. "How the Wealthiest People Donate to State Races". followthemoney.org. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
- ^ "McLean Campaign Discloses Finance Report; Over 250 contributors". lauren-mclean.com. Retrieved 1 November 2016.