Board of Visitors Biographies
Thomas L. Lyon
CEO (Retired) Cooperative Resources International (Cambridge)Tom Lyon was Chief Executive Officer of the Shawano-based Cooperative Resources International (CRI) from 1993 to 2002. CRI is an international member-owned agriculture cooperative with 60,000 members. Previously he was General Manager of 21st Century Genetics (1976-1993) and served as Executive Secretary of the Iowa State Dairy Association (1988-1993). Other agricultural association leadership roles have included his work with the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, National Cooperative Business Association, Wisconsin Cooperative Development Council, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Association of Animal Breeders, Certified Semen Services and World Dairy Expo.
His distinguished government service includes work with the Wisconsin Strategic Development Commission, Wisconsin Dairy Initiative 2020, Governor's Commission on Agriculture, Governor's Task Force on Wisconsin Stewardship Program, and Governor Doyle's Economic Growth Council.
Lyon's service to the University of Wisconsin is equally extensive, including his appointment to the Board of Regents (President from 1990-92), Board of Advisors for UW-Eau Claire, Board of Visitors of UW-Extension, Board of Visitors for UW-Madison's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Director and Chair of Friends of the University of Wisconsin System, and Board of the Wisconsin Rural Leadership Program.
He has served as trustee, director or board member of numerous organizations, including the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Foundation, the Bascom Society, Wisconsin United for Health Foundation, Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, Future Farmers of America (FFA) Foundation Board, American Farmland Trust, M&I Bank of Shawano, Shawano Medical Center and Valley Bancorporation of Appleton.
He received a bachelor's degree in dairy science from Iowa State University, and has received numerous awards from his alma mater as well as from UW-Extension, UW-River Falls, UW-Madison, World Dairy Expo, National and Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, FFA, the town of Shawano, and others.
He resides in Cambridge with wife, Barbara. They have three children, Jeff, Melissa and Scott.