Dwayne Andreas

Date of Birth: March 4, 1918

Zodiac Sign: Pisces

Date of Death: November 16, 2016

Biography

Dwayne Orville Andreas was an influential American businessman renowned for his leadership at Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), one of the world’s largest agricultural processors and food ingredient providers. Born into a farming family in Worthington, Minnesota, Andreas’ early life was steeped in agriculture, which would later serve as the bedrock of his career. He joined ADM in 1966 and quickly rose to the position of CEO, a role in which he dramatically transformed the company. Under his leadership, ADM became a global powerhouse in agricultural processing, significantly impacting the ethanol fuel industry and promoting the use of high-fructose corn syrup. Andreas was also known for his political influence, contributing to both Democratic and Republican campaigns, which earned him both friends and critics. His career was not without controversy, notably the lysine price-fixing scandal in the 1990s, but his overall contributions to the agricultural industry remain substantial.

5 Interesting Facts about Dwayne Andreas

1. Dwayne Andreas was considered one of the most powerful men in agribusiness, often referred to as the “Soybean King.”

2. He began his career at Cargill, another major agricultural company, before moving to ADM.

3. Andreas was a staunch advocate for ethanol fuel, helping to push for government subsidies and mandates.

4. Despite his business acumen, Andreas was involved in a significant controversy when ADM was implicated in a lysine price-fixing scandal.

5. He was known for his bipartisan political donations, contributing millions to both major U.S. political parties.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dwayne Andreas

1. “The competitor to be feared is one who never bothers about you at all but goes on making his own business better all the time.”

2. “I believe in talking about things that matter to people. That’s where the power is.”

3. “Agriculture is the foundation of civilization, and it must be treated with respect.”

4. “We need to think globally. Our business is to feed the world.”

5. “The world needs more food, and it’s our job to provide it.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Dwayne Andreas’ net worth was estimated to be around $500 million.

Children

Dwayne Andreas had three children: Dwayne Andreas Jr., Terrance Andreas, and Joyce Andreas. His family has continued to be involved in various business and philanthropic activities.