Distinguished Alumni

Paul Lyon (Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Economics 1988) is a national sales manager at Summit Agro USA, a position he has held for the past nine years.

His passion for agriculture has been a lifelong pursuit. Growing up on a cotton and soybean farm in Tchula, he credits his father for instilling in him the importance of faith and hard work. After graduating from MSU, he began working at Cargill in Dawson, Iowa, and quickly moved into management roles in grain facilities in Alabama and Georgia. In 1990, he transitioned to Cargill's Export Division in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as a grain merchandiser. After five years in the grain industry, he pivoted to agricultural chemicals, where he has held regional and national sales management positions, building valuable business relationships across the country.

A career highlight for Lyon was cofounding Tacoma Ag alongside fellow MSU graduate Bryan Wilson. He continues to contribute to the industry as a board advisor for Delta Grain Company with longtime friend and MSU graduate Frank Brumfield.

Lyon and his wife, Lane, reside in Greenwood. They have four children, all of whom attended MSU, and one grandson.