No Identity Crisis For This CEO
Reading through the resume of Patrick McGinnis is a daunting task. Yet, with his ever-present smile and engaging laugh, the affable CEO and director of Nestle© Purina PetCare Co. is as easy to talk to as a neighbor or new friend.
McGinnis, 60, was born and raised in St. Louis. His mother wanted her son to be named after his father. Instead, he was given his father’s surname William, but has always been addressed as Patrick. McGinnis says using his middle name has come in handy at times.
“When someone calls and asks for William or Bill, I know they don’t know me,” he explained.
As a young boy, he dreamed of playing professional baseball as a catcher or shortstop. He remembers going to Cardinal games with his father who was an obstetrician and gynecologist. McGinnis loved being in the stadium, but hated it when his father’s name was called over the PA system, which meant they had to leave. He remembers spending tedious afternoons waiting in the hospital for his father.
When asked if he had a particular mentor, McGinnis said his father’s best friend G.W. Gladders, whom he called “Uncle Warren,” was one person he wanted to emulate. Gladders was an entrepreneur who, among other interests, owned Gladders Towing, a tugboat operation, and who was half owner of Martin Oil. But what first impressed the young McGinnis was Gladders’ in-ground swimming pool.
“He was the only person I knew who had a pool in his backyard,” McGinnis recalled.
Uncle Warren marched to a different drummer, according to McGinnis. His home was built on 6 1/2 acres of St. Louis Country Club grounds; yet Uncle Warren never joined the country club.
By the time McGinnis was in high school, he was torn between studying business and following in his father’s footsteps and going to medical school. That was when his father gave him the advice that decided his career path: “Unless you’re dying to go into medicine, don’t do it.” Dr. McGinnis was then Chief of OB/GYN at St. Luke’s Hospital.
McGinnis left the state to attend the University of Denver where he received bachelor of arts degrees in political science and economics. He returned to St. Louis and got his MBA in marketing from Washington University in 1972.
The country was in recession when McGinnis was ready to graduate. Half of his class had no job offers. Fortunately, McGinnis had been offered a position with Inland Steel in Chicago, which he didn’t want but was prepared to take. Then he was selected as one of three people to interview for an opening in the marketing division of Ralston Purina. McGinnis landed the job.
“I graduated on Friday and went to work on Monday,” McGinnis said.
Throughout the years, McGinnis rose through the ranks first in Brand Management and later Director of Marketing International. The only time he left St. Louis was the 4 ½ years he lived in Toronto when he was named president of Canadian Grocery Products.
In 1992, McGinnis became the president and CEO of the Grocery Products Group. In 1997, he was named president and CEO of Ralston Purina- a title he kept when the company merged with Nestle in 2001 becoming the Nestle© Purina PetCare Co. His philosophy after the merger speaks volumes as to why this man has been so successful. “We are the biggest acquisition Nestle© has ever made,” he told his associates. “Now, let’s be the best acquisition they’ve ever made.”
The best thing about his company, McGinnis said, is that people like working there. The 7,500 employees come from diverse backgrounds. They are passionate people who have a competitive edge and a great work ethic.
His advice to those about to enter the professional work force is simple: stay apolitical and do things you know are right for the business.
Most of the time, McGinnis is traveling around the world. He travels two-thirds of the year throughout the United States, to Europe, Canada and Latin America. McGinnis, who is single, likes to spend his free time with his two boys who both live in St. Louis. David, 35, runs a financial management firm and Patrick, 28, co-manages and is the director of Wild Irish Farm in Houston Mo., which McGinnis bought for his sons.
Lake Connection
McGinnis has been coming to the Lake of the Ozarks since 1959 when he was 12 years old. His father, who would rather fish than eat, brought his son several weekends each summer. And they always stayed at the Shamrock Inn. Since then, he has come to the Lake for long weekends throughout the boating season. Over the years, McGinnis has owned several boats including a trio of Fountains. He owned a 500 Sundancer which was docked at Arrowhead Marina when the 2006 ice storm hit the area.
“My boat looked like it had been shrink wrapped (by the dock roof) around the middle,” McGinnis said.
So he decided to buy a 60-foot SeaRay to avoid downtime for repairs.
In addition to cruising, McGinnis likes to play golf or just kick back around his swimming pool that adjoins the home he bought almost three years ago. And although he spends three of four weekends at the Lake from May to September, he will occasionally drive down to the Lake after an MU basketball game to spend the night.
Destination fun is also part of down time. McGinnis and his two sons spend time in the winter in Palm Beach and on Anna Maria Island in Florida. A typical day finds the boys deep-sea fishing while their father plays golf. The trio goes out to dinner in the evening to discuss the day’s events. McGinnis also ventures to St. Bart’s in January to spend time with friends.
As the CEO of a pet care company, one would expect McGinnis to own a pet. In fact, he owns five including a calico cat named Princess. “She is in charge of everyone,” he said.
Then there are his four dogs: Newman the Newfoundland, Gunner his French Brittany Spaniel, Chloe a mixed breed he got from the Humane Society and Dare, his duck dog who is a black Labrador retriever. Dare, whose entire name is Dare to be Great, is a field champion. McGinnis said the dogs are wonderful hunting companions.
McGinnis is dedicated to both his company, where he has worked for more than 36 years, and his family. In fact, he said his biggest struggle has been balancing his time between work and his children. And for a man who could pick anywhere in the world for needed R&R, McGinnis has remained loyal to the Lake of the Ozarks as his go-to spot for the past 50 years.
Category: Cover Stories
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