[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 190 (Wednesday, November 15, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1106-E1107]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING CLAY MATHILE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL R. TURNER

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 15, 2023

  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I want to honor and pay tribute to the life 
and accomplishments of Clay Mathile, a philanthropist, community 
leader, and businessman from my Congressional district, who passed away 
on August 26, 2023.
  Clay Mathile was a pillar of the Dayton community. He moved to Dayton 
in 1970 to begin work with Iams Food Company, a producer of premier pet 
food products. Clay played an influential role in growing the Iams 
brand and company, became part-owner in 1975, and fully took over 
ownership when Paul Iams retired in 1982.
  Throughout the next 17 years, Clay led lams to be a world leader in 
dog and cat nutrition. Equally important as enriching the lives of pets 
was his intention to enrich the lives of the individuals who worked at 
Iams. Clay deeply believed that when people were fulfilled at work, it 
sparked a ripple effect that uplifted not just those individuals, but 
their families and communities. He was a man who empowered people to do 
their best work, created opportunities for their learning and growth, 
and ultimately helped people experience personal fulfillment.
  Clay shepherded Iams to become a leader in the pet food industry, and 
eventually sold the company to Proctor & Gamble. When the sale was 
finalized, Clay distributed $100 million to the company's employees, 
giving back to those who made Iams' success possible. He also committed 
$100 million to fund community projects in the Dayton area, investing 
in Dayton's future generations.
  Clay Mathile's philanthropic efforts were widespread across the Miami 
Valley and his generous legacy echoes still today, carried on by his 
family. The Mathile Family Foundation has invested more than $500 
million in grants to local organizations that focus on children, 
families, and education. Clay also founded Aileron, a nonprofit 
organization dedicated to developing small business leaders across the 
county, which hosts more than 15,000 business leaders every year on 
their campus just north of Dayton in Tipp City, Ohio.

[[Page E1107]]

  The life and service of Clay Mathile have not gone unnoticed by his 
fellow Daytonians. Clay was a prominent businessman and philanthropist, 
recognized as the Citizen Legion of Honor award winner by the 
Presidents Club of Dayton in 2014, and the Maureen Patterson Regional 
Leader Award in 2019 by the Dayton Development Coalition. However, 
these titles meant little in comparison to Clay's role within his 
family as a husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
  I join the entire Miami Valley in mourning the loss of a remarkable 
man who uplifted countless others through his career and philanthropy. 
Dayton, the state of Ohio, and our country has lost an icon, and I have 
lost a friend. My heartfelt condolences are with Clay's wife Mary Ann, 
his children Cate and Don Laden, Tim and Lynn Mathile, Mike and 
Michelle Mathile, Tina Mathile, Jennifer and Pat Prikkel, his 15 
grandchildren and their families; and his one great-grandchild.

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