Dr. Pearse Lyons, founder and president of Alltech, received the first-ever Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s Commonwealth Legacy Award, recognized for his pivotal role in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Lexington.
Former Kentucky Governor John Y. Brown, Jr. called Lyons the "Thomas Edison of agriculture" during the award presentation dinner, which over 500 government, education and business leaders from throughout Kentucky attended.
“Though I was not born in Kentucky, I have made it my home for more than 30 years," said Lyons. "I have raised my family and grown my business right here in the Bluegrass. When [Host Communications Inc. Chairman] Jim Host came to me with the opportunity to sponsor the 2010 World Equestrian Games, I knew it would be an amazing chance to put Alltech and, ultimately, Kentucky on the world’s stage.”
Host also received a Legacy Award for his role in the building of the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville.
