Written by Sue Brage

We’re excited to host Mark Whitacre for our Spring Luncheon in April. He’ll be sharing his story entitled, When Good Leaders Lose Their Way. This interview will give you a little background on Mark and his story. It was originally published on http://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/ and you can read the interview in its entirety at http://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/issues/2012-11/view_health-e-insights/an-interview-with-mark-whitacre/.

Mark Whitacre is an Ivy League PhD and the highest-ranked executive of any Fortune 500 company to become a whistleblower in U.S. history. He is responsible for uncovering the ADM price-fixing scandal in the early 1990s. He holds the position of chief operating officer and President of operations at Cypress Systems, Inc., Fresno, CA. His undercover work with the FBI during the ADM scandal was the inspiration for the major motion picture, The Informant, starring Matt Damon as Mark Whitacre. Drawing from his unique history, Mr. Whitacre provides one-of-a-kind insight into corporate ethics, corporate greed and the warning signs of a flawed corporate leadership.

Q: As the years have passed, any regrets about your whistle-blowing experience?
Mr. Whitacre: I have no regrets on blowing the whistle. I do regret making the mistakes that I made during my undercover tenure. My family paid dearly for those mistakes. I became a whistleblower and an informant because my wife, Ginger, insisted I come forward and report what I knew. Though she did not understand exactly how price fixing worked, she inherently knew it was very wrong. In November 1992, two decades ago, Ginger forced my hand. She decided firmly that she would tell the FBI what she knew, even if I couldn’t. She was the sole reason I opened up to the FBI—Ginger is the real whistleblower of this case, not I. It is amazing that my marriage not only survived, but actually thrived, especially with the divorce rate being 99% for people whom serve five years and longer in prison. My wife and I have been together since junior high school, and we have been married over 33 years. She is my greatest blessing. My second greatest blessing is Paul Willis of Cypress Systems who gave me a second chance back into the industry. Paul hired me the day after my prison release six years ago in 2006. I have a tremendous amount of respect for him and I will never forget the chance he gave to me.

Q: Is there one message to the industry that you would want out there?
Mr. Whitacre: No one is above the law, no matter how successful, no matter how wealthy, and no matter how educated. At one time in my life, and at a very young age, I had the world within easy reach. But poor, unethical decision-making changed my life forever. My hope is to guard others from the same ill fate with my story. It is important to always do the right thing. Looking back, there was a green lamp that recorded the videotapes for the FBI (basically recordings of the illegal meetings that occurred with the price fixing). I always tell young people to live their lives like the green lamp is always with them. *

Register for the Spring Luncheon today and meet Mark in person!

 

*Read the entire interview originally published at http://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/issues/2012-11/view_health-e-insights/an-interview-with-mark-whitacre/.