Adam Graves ’01 has spent his career moving across continents, leading teams and navigating change. A lifelong fan of Tabasco Sauce, he became CEO of its Louisiana-based manufacturer, the McIlhenny Company, this year.
“When I learned about the opportunity to lead this 158-year-old company and its global brand, I knew instantly it could be the role of a lifetime,” said Graves, who was selected Samford University’s Alumnus of the Year for 2026.
The Alumnus of the Year award honors Samford University graduates of true distinction in their careers, making significant contributions through their professions. The honoree is widely known and acknowledged as a person of national or global distinction who displays substantial leadership and embodies the Samford University mission.
Graves credits much of his leadership philosophy to lessons learned at Samford, particularly in Brock School of Business' Managerial Values course taught by former faculty member Ed Felton. The course reinforced the responsibility business leaders have to positively influence the communities they serve and challenged students to view business as a force for good. Graves adopted that mindset early in his career and continues to lead with a philosophy of servant leadership.
“I learned at Samford that business leaders have both an opportunity and a responsibility to positively influence the communities they serve. That lesson shaped how I lead today, and I believe a thriving business can be a tremendous force for good.”
His path to that moment was shaped by more than two decades at Nestlé, where he most recently served as president of Nestlé’s pizza and snacking division in the U.S. Those experiences prepared him to lead and adapt amid complex environments, skills he traces in part to his time at Samford University’s business school.
Graves steps into his role as the first non-family CEO in McIlhenny Company history, which dates back to 1868. Growing market share for the world’s most iconic pepper sauce requires perspective and discipline.
“I aim to bring a growth mindset while always protecting the reputation that consumers worldwide have trusted for more than a century and a half,” he said. “My approach is to balance continuity and change.”
Graves credits much of his leadership philosophy to his time at Samford, particularly the Managerial Values course taught by professor Ed Felton. The class shaped his understanding of the purpose of business, and the responsibility leaders carry.
“I learned that business leaders have an opportunity to positively influence the communities they serve,” he said. “A thriving business can lift up people and families.”
That foundation guides him today and reflects Samford's mission to prepare leaders of integrity.
Graves encourages students to carry a growth mindset and a commitment to lifelong learning. He urges them to embrace opportunities that stretch beyond the classroom, build relationships with leaders they admire and seek experiences that broaden their perspective.
“Stay curious and be proactive,” he said. “Everything you see and learn will be valuable at some point.”
