Alumni Profiles

Ed McMillan

Ed McMillan is a 1969 ACES graduate and was recognized this year by the University of Illinois Alumni Association with the Distinguished Service Award. This award was established in 1972 to recognize alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the University of Illinois who have consistently demonstrated extraordinary commitment, dedication and service for the advancement of the institution.

Ed was honored for the professional expertise and selfless devotion he has extended to the University of Illinois. Growing up on a family farm, he became the president and CEO of Purina Mills and currently heads McMillan LLC, an adviser to agribusiness industries. As a mergers and acquisition professional with leadership experience, McMillan proved crucial in the development of the University’s Research Park, where he served on its board of managers as the park moved from conception to the complex realities of joining the academy to the business world. McMillan has given his time as a member and chairman of the UI Alumni Association Board and has assisted the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in its physical and academic growth. Additionally, McMillan was recently nominated by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn to serve on the UI Board of Trustees.