John Compton’s story is the American Dream. Shortly after graduating from UT’s College of Business, he started working third shift in a local plant making cookies for Frito Lay. Through hard work and perseverance, he steadily moved up the ranks of the PepsiCo company. He now serves as CEO of PepsiCo North America Foods, the largest division of the company. Throughout his twenty-seven-year career, he has held senior-level positions with Frito Lay North America and Quaker Tropicana Gatorade.
Compton has been a volunteer leader for UT Knoxville and for the College of Business Administration. He has served as an executive in- residence lecturer and a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council for more than a decade. Compton was instrumental in coordinating a $350,000 grant from PepsiCo Foundation to the college for diversity efforts. He has made personal contributions to enhance technology in the new Haslam Business Building and supporting the College Fund for Business Administration.
Compton enjoys his work with the college and sharing his experiences with students. He hopes to inspire students to “Learn, Earn and Return”… learn all they can while at UT, be as successful as they can in their chosen professions, and then give back to the community as much as they possibly can.
