Scott Simplot | $1B+
Get in touch with Scott Simplot | Scott Simplot, son of agribusiness pioneer J.R. Simplot, oversees one of America’s largest privately held food and agriculture empires as chairman of the J.R. Simplot Company. The Idaho-based company is a global supplier of frozen foods, potato products, fertilizers, and agricultural services, with deep ties to the restaurant and foodservice industry, including longstanding partnerships with major quick-service chains. Under Simplot family leadership, the business has remained privately held while expanding internationally and investing across agriculture, food processing, and related industries. Scott Simplot continues the family’s multigenerational stewardship of a company central to modern agribusiness.
Scott Simplot (born 1947) is an American businessman serving as chairman of the J.R. Simplot Company, a privately held global agribusiness firm founded by his father, J.R. Simplot, in 1929.[1][2] As the youngest of J.R. Simplot's four children, he has led the company since 2001, overseeing its operations in food processing, fertilizers, and agriculture across more than 60 countries with over 13,000 employees.[3][4] The firm is renowned for pioneering frozen French fries and supplying a significant portion of the U.S. market, including major fast-food chains.[1]Simplot earned a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Idaho and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1973.[5][6] Upon graduating, he joined the family business as director of planning and information technology, later ascending to the board and implementing key reforms such as standardized accounting, plant closures for efficiency, and international expansions into Asia and Australia.[6][3] Under his leadership, the company achieved revenues exceeding $3 billion by the mid-2000s and diversified beyond its potato origins into phosphate mining and fertilizer production.[6]A billionaire residing in Boise, Idaho, Simplot shares management responsibilities with his sister Gay Simplot and has been recognized as one of the state's wealthiest individuals.[1][3] He also serves on the boards of other companies, including SemiLEDs Corporation, reflecting his broader influence in business.[5]
Early Life and Family Background
Birth and Childhood
Scott Simplot was born in 1947 in Idaho as the youngest son of J.R. Simplot and Ruby Simplot.[7] He grew up alongside three older siblings: brothers Richard Simplot and Don Simplot, and sister Gay Simplot.[7][8]The Simplot family resided on a large ranch in Declo, Idaho, where J.R. Simplot had established his early agricultural operations in the late 1920s, focusing on potato farming and related ventures.[9] From a young age, Scott was immersed in the demands of farm life, participating in chores such as sorting potatoes and assisting with ranching activities, in line with the rural tradition where sons were expected to contribute to the family enterprise.[10] As Scott later reflected, "You have to understand that out here, farmers had sons so that the sons could run the farm," highlighting the practical expectations of his upbringing on what was, even then, a substantial operation compared to neighboring farms.[10]His early years also included formative interactions with his father, such as childhood quarrels over games of gin rummy, which foreshadowed their later differences in business philosophy.[10] This period instilled an early awareness of the family's potato farming operations, amid J.R. Simplot's entrepreneurial rise from a modest hog-feeding venture to a burgeoning agricultural powerhouse.[10]
Family Influence and Upbringing
Scott Simplot was born in 1947 as the youngest of four children to J.R. Simplot and his first wife, Ruby Rosevear Simplot, with siblings including Richard, Donald, and Gay.[10][7]The family's environment was profoundly shaped by J.R. Simplot's self-made success story, which emphasized resilience and entrepreneurial risk-taking from humble beginnings. J.R., born in 1909, grew up working hard on his family's farm in Idaho after moving from Iowa as a toddler; he rebelled against his domineering father, dropped out of school at age 15, and left home with $80 (four $20 gold coins) provided by his mother to start his own ventures.[11][12] After working sorting potatoes at a warehouse, he profited from buying and reselling scrip to purchase 600 hogs at $1 each, feeding them horse meat from wild horses he shot during harsh winters—a resourcefulness that carried into the Great Depression, where he capitalized on low seed potato prices to buy, store, and resell them at a profit, eventually building the largest potato-shipping operation in the West with over 30 warehouses by the late 1930s.[11] These tales of overcoming economic hardships and turning obstacles into opportunities, often shared within the family, instilled in Scott a deep appreciation for practical innovation and perseverance in agriculture.[10]Ruby Simplot played a key role in providing family stability amid J.R.'s relentless business pursuits, raising their four children while he expanded his potato empire during the mid-20th century.[13] Having studied elementary education at Albion State Normal School before meeting J.R. on a blind date in 1931, Ruby brought a focus on formal learning to the household, contrasting J.R.'s informal, eighth-grade education and dropout path, which encouraged the children to pursue structured knowledge alongside hands-on experience.[14]During his adolescence, Scott developed practical skills through direct involvement in the family's expansive farming operations, growing up on a large Idaho farm where he was expected, like many farmers' sons, to contribute to daily agricultural tasks and absorb the rhythms of potato cultivation and livestock management.[10] This early immersion, combined with exposure to J.R.'s diverse ventures like onion farming and even a gold mine attempt, fostered Scott's work ethic and initial interest in business, teaching him the value of adaptability amid frequent family business challenges and failures.[10]
Education
Undergraduate Studies
Scott Simplot attended the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho, where he pursued a degree in business.[15]In 1968, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in business.[15][3]Despite his father J.R. Simplot having only an eighth-grade education and dropping out of school at age 14, the family supported Scott's pursuit of higher education, recognizing his academic aptitude.[10][16]
Graduate Education
Following his undergraduate studies at the University of Idaho, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business in 1968, Scott Simplot pursued advanced education encouraged by his father, J.R. Simplot, who viewed an MBA as essential preparation for leadership in the family agribusiness.[10][17]Simplot enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, completing his degree in 1973. This graduate training equipped him with rigorous business acumen that shaped his strategic approach to agribusiness management upon returning to Idaho.[6][18]
Career
Entry into the Family Business
Upon completing his MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1973, Scott Simplot returned to Idaho to join the family-owned J.R. Simplot Company, where he was appointed as director of planning and information technology.[6][10] This role marked his initial immersion into the operational aspects of the agribusiness, which at the time was heavily focused on potato processing and had established itself as a key supplier of frozen French fries, contributing significantly to its revenues.[6]Simplot's Wharton education equipped him with formal corporate strategies emphasizing data-driven decision-making and technological integration, which he sought to apply within the company's entrepreneurial framework. However, this approach led to early challenges as he navigated tensions with his father, J.R. Simplot, whose intuitive, hands-on style clashed with Scott's push for structured planning, tighter budgets, and computer system upgrades. These differences culminated in Scott temporarily leaving the company for three years during the early 1980s to pursue other opportunities, highlighting the difficulties of adapting academic business principles to the family's longstanding, informal operations.[6][10]Upon his return in the mid-1980s, Simplot resumed his contributions to operational improvements, gradually helping to modernize aspects of the business while learning to balance the family's dynamic with more systematic management practices. This period solidified his understanding of the company's core potato operations and laid the groundwork for his deeper involvement in the following decades.[10]
Leadership at J.R. Simplot Company
Scott Simplot joined the board of directors of the J.R. Simplot Company in August 1970, after his graduation from the University of Idaho, and quickly advanced to roles that built his operational expertise within the family agribusiness. By 1973, he had been appointed director of planning and information technology, contributing to the company's strategic direction during a period of expansion in potato processing and fertilizer production. His ascent continued through the 1970s and 1980s, positioning him as a key figure in the family's management structure, though formal executive titles evolved later. In May 2001, Simplot was named chairman of the board, succeeding the office of the chairman model established in 1994 that involved multiple family members. He retained this role after his father's death in 2008, when J.R. Simplot, who had served as chairman emeritus, passed away at age 99, ensuring continuity in family governance.[5][3][19]As chairman, Simplot has led alongside a family-influenced executive committee, including his sister Gay Simplot, who serves as a director and has been integral to the board since the early 2000s. This shared leadership model, formalized in 2001 with an executive committee comprising Scott, Gay, their brother Don, and cousin Ted Simplot, emphasizes collaborative oversight of the company's diverse operations. While specific divisional responsibilities have varied, the structure has allowed the siblings to focus on core segments, with the food processing arm—centered on frozen potato products—falling under heightened family stewardship, and the phosphate and fertilizer divisions managed through the broader agribusiness group. This approach has preserved the private nature of the company while adapting to industry challenges.[4][10][20]Under Simplot's chairmanship, the J.R. Simplot Company pursued strategic diversification beyond its traditional potato and fertilizer roots, emphasizing growth in value-added frozen foods and international markets to mitigate commodity volatility. Key initiatives included expanding frozen french fry production, which became a cornerstone of the food group, supplying major global chains and representing a shift toward processed products with higher margins. The company also accelerated global expansion through joint ventures, such as the 1999 formation of Simplot-Farm Frites in Europe for frozen potato distribution and the 2003 opening of a french fry processing plant in Manitoba, Canada, to tap North American export opportunities. These efforts strengthened the company's position as a multinational agribusiness, with annual revenues reaching approximately $3 billion by the early 2000s.[21]Simplot's leadership has been tied to his status as one of Idaho's wealthiest residents, reflecting the enduring value of the family enterprise. In the 2000s, the Simplot family's collective net worth was estimated at over $3 billion, driven by the company's phosphate mining, food processing, and earlier stakes in semiconductors like Micron Technology. By 2016, Forbes recognized Scott Simplot individually as Idaho's richest person, with a personal net worth of $2.1 billion directly linked to his ownership in the J.R. Simplot Company, underscoring the impact of his governance on its valuation.[19][22][10]
Major Business Developments and Investments
Under Scott Simplot's leadership as chairman, the J.R. Simplot Company significantly expanded its frozen potato products division in the 1990s, building on its longstanding partnership with McDonald's that dated back to 1967 but grew substantially during this period to meet rising demand from fast-food chains.[23] This expansion included increased production capacity for frozen french fries, which by the mid-1990s accounted for a major portion of the company's output and helped solidify its position as one of the world's largest suppliers to McDonald's and other global chains.[24] The focus on frozen products not only boosted revenues but also drove investments in processing plants, such as enhancements to facilities in Idaho and Oregon, to support exports to emerging markets like Asia.[25]In 2025, the company completed its acquisition of the Clarebout Group, a leading Belgian producer of frozen potato products, for an undisclosed sum, marking a major step in global expansion.[26] This deal added five state-of-the-art production facilities in Europe—primarily in Belgium and France—to Simplot's network, enhancing its capacity for frozen potato processing and strengthening its supply chain for international customers.[27] The acquisition, announced in July and finalized in November 2025, is expected to integrate Clarebout's operations to improve efficiency and market reach in the European and global frozen foods sector.[28]Earlier, in 2018, Simplot entered a joint venture with KWS SAAT SE, forming Aardevo B.V. to advance hybrid potato breeding and develop high-performing varieties resistant to diseases and better suited for processing.[29] This 50-50 partnership leverages KWS's seed expertise and Simplot's potato processing knowledge to innovate seed production methods, aiming to reduce reliance on traditional vegetative propagation and improve yields for frozen product applications.[30] Aardevo, based in the Netherlands, represents a strategic investment in sustainable agriculture, with ongoing research focused on commercializing hybrid potatoes by the mid-2020s.[31]The Simplot family's involvement in Micron Technology stems from an early investment initiated in 1980, where the company acquired a significant stake that Scott Simplot helped champion, providing crucial funding that helped the semiconductor firm survive its initial years.[6] Although the stake has diminished over time—reduced to around 6.6% by the mid-1990s and further trimmed through sales—Simplot continues to hold a notable position as a major shareholder, with ongoing oversight of these semiconductor investments as part of the company's diversified portfolio.[32] This legacy asset has generated substantial returns, contributing to the company's financial strength amid fluctuations in the memory chip market.[33]Reflecting its evolution beyond potatoes into a broader agribusiness, the J.R. Simplot Company rebranded to the Simplot Company in September 2025, aligning its structure with diverse operating groups including food processing, fertilizers, and livestock.[34] This name change, accompanied by centralized support enhancements, underscores the company's global operations across more than 60 countries and its commitment to integrated agricultural solutions.[35]
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Immediate Family
Scott Simplot is divorced, and details about his former wife remain private, reflecting the family's commitment to maintaining a low public profile in personal matters. His marriage represented a long-term partnership that supported his career amid the demands of the family business.[36]He has two daughters, who have not taken public roles in the family business operations but are part of the broader Simplot legacy. The family resides in Boise, Idaho, where they prioritize privacy while engaging in community initiatives.[10]The executive committee structure for oversight of the J.R. Simplot Company was established in 1978 and formalized on the board in 1994, comprising Scott and his siblings—Gay Simplot and Don Simplot—along with J.E. "Ted" Simplot representing the heirs of their deceased brother Richard Simplot. Following the death of their father, J.R. Simplot, in 2008, the estate was divided among the family, maintaining this structure for company control.[37][10]
Wealth and Philanthropic Activities
Scott Simplot's wealth is primarily derived from his substantial stake in the J.R. Simplot Company, the privately held agribusiness founded by his father. Forbes estimated his net worth at $2.3 billion in 2015, designating him Idaho's richest resident at the time. By 2016, the figure stood at $2.1 billion, reflecting fluctuations tied to the company's performance in food processing, fertilizers, and agriculture. He remains a billionaire, as underscored by the Simplot family's collective $11.1 billion fortune as of 2024.[38]Simplot's philanthropic efforts are channeled primarily through family foundations, emphasizing low-profile giving focused on community and industry needs. He serves as a director of the J.R. Simplot Foundation, established in 1953 as a tax-exempt entity to support charitable causes. The foundation, along with the related J.R. Simplot Company Foundation, prioritizes education and agriculture in Idaho, funding programs that enhance agricultural sciences and youth development. For instance, these entities have provided significant endowments to institutions like the College of Western Idaho for agricultural education facilities and the College of Idaho for collaborative science research funds.In education, Simplot's foundations have made targeted contributions to agribusiness initiatives. The J.R. Simplot Family Foundation established the University of Idaho's first endowed deanship in November 2024—the J.R. Simplot Endowed Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences—to advance agricultural research and education, including support for scholarships in agribusiness.[39] Additional support includes contributions to a $3 million nematology endowment announced in October 2024, bolstering programs in nematology and sustainable farming.[40] While Simplot, a 1973 Wharton graduate, supports alumni causes through these vehicles, his giving remains oriented toward Idaho's agricultural heritage rather than broad institutional endowments.A notable 2025 philanthropic proposal involves the Simplot Family Foundation's plan to transform a 200-acre Boise property, known as Simplot Hill, into a public park. Submitted in April 2025 to the City of Boise, the project includes a hilltop viewing pavilion, winding paths, water features, a children's play area, and an interactive "Tractor Shed" museum, with development phased over 10-15 years and funded by the foundation. This initiative aims to preserve the site's legacy while opening it for community recreation.[41]Simplot avoids high-profile political donations, with records showing only minimal personal contributions—totaling around $750 over three decades to local campaigns—and no major endorsements beyond a single Boise city council race. His approach underscores a preference for discreet, impact-driven philanthropy over public political engagement.
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