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William Patrick "Pat" McGinnis (born November 29, 1947)^[1] is the former CEO of Nestlé Purina PetCare Company (formerly Ralston Purina Company), serving in that position from 2001 to 2015;^[2] and non-executive chairman of the board from January 2015 to January 2017.^[3][4] McGinnis died peacefully at his home on Anna Maria Island, Florida, on March 5, 2024, he was 76 years old.^[5]

W. Patrick McGinnis was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, to Margaret (nee Cisne) and William McGinnis.^[6] William McGinnis was the Chief of OB/GYN at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis.^[1] Patrick McGinnis considered either a career in medicine or business while in high school.^[1] He attended the University of Denver, where he earned a B.A. in political science and economics. He then earned his MBA in marketing from the Olin Business School at Washington University in 1972.^[1]

McGinnis had two sons, who are both businessmen.^[1]

McGinnis had an over 42-year career with Purina. He joined the company immediately after completing his MBA^[1] through its corporate management training program.^[4] At Purina, he moved through various management roles, finally becoming the President and CEO:

• From 1997 to 1999, McGinnis served as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-President of Ralston Purina Company and President and Chief Executive Officer of its Pet Products Group.
• From 1999 to 2001, McGinnis served as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Ralston Purina Company. He also served as a Director of the company from 1997 to 2001.
• From 2001 to January 1, 2015, McGinnis served as CEO and President of Nestlé Purina PetCare Company.^[3]
• From January 1, 2015, to January 2017, he served as Non-Executive Chairman of Nestle Purina PetCare Company.^[3][4]

• Independent director of Brown Shoe Co. Inc. (now Caleres, Inc.) since 1999.^[7]
• Independent director at Energizer Holdings, Inc. since July 1, 2015.^[4]
• Independent director at Edgewell Personal Care Company (formerly Energizer Holdings, Inc.), 2002 through June 30, 2015.
• Trustee of Washington University in St. Louis.^[2]

Note: A professorship in the Olin Business School — The W. Patrick McGinnis Professor of Marketing — was established as a result of a gift to the school from McGinnis.^[8]