Alan D. Wilson, born in South Carolina, is a highly respected business leader best known for his long tenure as the Chairman, President, and CEO of McCormick & Company, the global spice giant. His formative years were marked by discipline and a strong commitment to service.

He attended the University of Tennessee (UT) on an ROTC scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications in 1980. Following graduation, he served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, completing tours in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. This early military service instilled the disciplined leadership and global perspective that would be the foundation of his subsequent corporate career at the helm of a multinational food company.

Wilson began his corporate career in the consumer goods sector, spending nine years at Procter & Gamble (P&G) in progressively responsible roles focused on product supply and procurement. He brought this foundational experience in large-scale logistics and efficiency to McCormick & Company when he joined in 1993 as Director of Procurement.

He quickly rose through McCormick's ranks, serving in leadership roles across Canada and North American Consumer Products before being appointed President and CEO in 2007 (and Chairman from 2008). Wilson’s tenure was a period of significant growth and financial success; sales grew by more than $1 billion to over $4.2 billion, and the company's market capitalization doubled. He personally championed innovation, oversaw major acquisitions (like Lawry’s seasoning), and successfully transitioned the company’s global operations before stepping down as CEO in 2016. He retired as Executive Chairman but remains highly engaged in corporate governance.

Alan Wilson’s philanthropy is notably focused on education, military support, and civic life, often channeled through his alma mater and various national boards. He and his wife, Wendy Wilson, are highly active in giving back to the educational system that launched his career.

• University of Tennessee (UT): The Wilsons have provided 'major gifts' to the Center for Career Development, the College of Communication, and the Haslam College of Business. He actively serves on the UT Board of Trustees and the Business School advisory board.
• Military Service: His tours with the U.S. Army instilled a lifelong dedication to service, reflected in his various leadership and civic roles.
• Civic Leadership: He has served on the boards of the Grocery Manufacturers' Association, the Greater Baltimore Committee, and led the United Way of Central Maryland's 2012 campaign.