Clay strongly believes that entrepreneurs perform the most noble acts of anyone in a free society because they keep the Great American Dream alive by putting their capital at risk to create jobs for others.
Clay’s success story began in 1970 when he became the seventh employee of The Iams Company. By 1982 the owner, animal nutritionist, Paul Iams was ready to retire. He convinced Clay, and his wife, Mary, to raise enough capital to buy his company.
As new owners, the Mathiles faced a myriad of small business challenges, but thanks to dedicated employees, loyal customers, and Clay’s innovative leadership, Iams became a world leader in dog and cat nutrition in less than a decade. In 1999, the Mathile family sold Iams to Procter & Gamble for $2.3 billion.
Today, Clay attributes his commitment to professional management principles as a key reason for the phenomenal growth of Iams. Dedicated to inspiring others to be lifelong learners, Clay is the author of two books: Run Your Business, Don't Let it Run You, and his autobiography, Dream No Little Dreams.
Clay and Mary live in Dayton, Ohio, where Clay serves on a select group of non-profit Boards that focus on education, medical innovation, and social justice. However, Clay insists that his most-important roles are as husband, father of five, and grandfather of 15. Now, life as a family man has led to yet another dream and vision for the future: “A Family United Forever.”