CEO Series Connecting the dots Patrick Boyle ponders life after 24 years at AMI and reflects on his leadership legacy BY JOEL CREWS jcrews@sosland.com S ince assuming the role on April tion of epic and sweeping changes for the meat and poultry processors in 1, 1990, J. Patrick Boyle has led the meat and poultry industry. The the US. Boyle’s leadership has been the American Meat Institute (AMI) range of issues and challenges faced characterized by a professional un- during an era of unprecedented op- by the AMI and its leader were as di- flappability and laser focus on pro- portunities and challenges requiring verse its member companies, which tecting those interests passionately, the development and implementa- now constitute about 95 percent of both in the US and abroad. After one month as AMI’s president and CEO, Boyle (center) visits with Sen. Charles Stenholm (left) and former Secretary of Agriculture, Richard Lyng. Boyle realized the vital role of the AMI: “It’s an important element of the agricultural economy.” 78 • Meat&Poultry • October 2013 • www.MeatPoultry.comhttp://www.MeatPoultry.com