Mark Whitacre

Mark Whitacre is currently the Executive Director of t-factor at Coca Cola Consolidated, Inc. Previously, he served as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of CBMC from 2013 to 2020, where he influenced the organization that had significantly impacted his life over two decades. From 2006 to 2013, he held the positions of COO and Chief Science Officer at Cypress Systems, Inc., a California biotechnology company. Whitacre's undercover operations with the FBI during the Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) scandal served as the inspiration for the major motion picture, "The Informant," where Matt Damon portrayed him. His experiences provide him with a unique perspective on corporate ethics, handling corporate greed, and recognizing the warning signs of flawed corporate leadership.

Whitacre completed his B.S. and M.S. degrees at Ohio State University before earning a Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from Cornell University. His career spanned several Fortune 500 companies including Ralston Purina, Degussa (Evonik), and ADM, where he became the youngest Divisional President in company history at age 32 and was subsequently promoted to Corporate Vice President. His significant international business experience includes nearly four years living in West Germany and extensive travel in Southeast Asia, contributing to his broad understanding of global markets.

Whitacre’s keynote speeches, such as “When Good Leaders Lose Their Way,” focus on corporate culture, ethics, and compliance, emphasizing the importance of ethical decision-making and long-term thinking. He often speaks at faith-based events, sharing his transformative personal journey after embracing his faith at age 41. His involvement in the ADM price-fixing case marked him as the highest-ranked executive whistleblower in U.S. history, a story highlighted in the Discovery Channel documentary "Undercover." Whitacre’s narrative underscores hope, family commitment, redemption, and the pivotal role of truthfulness in both personal and corporate realms, as detailed in his book "Mark Whitacre Against All Odds." His contributions to discussions on corporate integrity and leadership continue to inspire many, reinforced by public support from figures like former FBI supervisor Dean Paisley and others in law enforcement and legal sectors.