AVERY ISLAND, La. — Paul Carr Polk McIlhenny, CEO and chairman of McIlhenny Company, which makes Tabasco products, passed away Saturday at the age of 68.
“All of McIlhenny Company and the McIlhenny and Avery families are deeply saddened by this news,” said Tony Simmons, president of McIlhenny Company and fifth-generation McIlhenny family member. “We will clearly miss Paul’s devoted leadership but will more sorely feel the loss of his acumen, his charm and his irrepressible sense of humour.”
McIlhenny joined the company in 1967 and directly oversaw the production and quality of products sold under the Tabasco brand. At the time of his death, McIlhenny was serving as chairman, CEO and as a director of McIlhenny Company. During his tenure, the leader introduced a variety of new products to the brand, including Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce; Tabasco Sweet and Spicy Pepper Sauce; and Tabasco Buffalo Style Hot Sauce.
McIlhenny was inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in 2010.
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