Remembering Clay: Messages from Family and Friends

When I think of Someone that I’ve met and liked, I will always think of Clay. What a very sharp, classy, And caring person he was. (And Mary was right next to him during his journey)

He really liked to talk about his family, moreover Clay taught me how to treat people Within the business world, and to stay focused On your goals, to move successfully within The business world. (It works)

My deepest sympathies go to the family, very Sure the family will move forward with Clays Vision of success for each member of that Wonderful family. My God Bless all of you, Brighter days will come shortly..

~ Bob Noble & Family: Norma, Randy, & Jay

On behalf of our staff and board, please share our condolences with Mary and her family. Let her know that she will be in our prayers and thoughts.

~ Margie Christie

Everyone had pride and ownership and was expected to be a business owner in their role. These are work values I have carried with me even after my work with Iams ended in 2006. Forever grateful for the opportunity to BE a part of that wonderful family. (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Jack Bohannon

IAMS is the best company I have ever worked for under your leadership. A true family we all were. I’ve met a lot of people in my life but nobody with a vision and passion like you have. Prayers to you and your family. (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Jerri Letner

Clay, I met Mary and you in Cancun at the last sales meeting. I was new to the company sitting with my former Super-Dog owner Bob Schober. I immediately felt welcomed to the team and truly felt part of something so wonderful. Iams was by far the best company most of us ever worked for, Iams supported their distribution network, trained them to be better businesses, we learned to teach our retailers how to be better and more successful, the culture touched so many businesses beyond the company walls, what a great legacy you and your family built. So proud to have worked for you and your company, wishing you and yours only the best (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Michael Sokira

I’ll never forget what he told me. He said: he never in his life would have thought that he would ever live a life as he has now. That he came from a very hard-working farm family that had a lot of love and happiness. Working on the farm was hard, but he enjoyed it along with his brother. He teared up in telling that to me, but it was a special moment for me that he had shared a piece of his life with me. He thanked me again, started up the four-wheeler and continued his ride. But that interaction left an impression on me about Mr. Mathile, and that was he was a very humble man, he was grounded and treated everyone with courtesy, respect, and an appreciation of the people around him. That everyone has a say, and he was not above you, but he walked beside you. That was powerful.

~ Lito Hernandez

Prayers for Clay and family. My time working for Clay at the Iams/Eukanuba home office was a delightful time for me. I loved the climate where people said hello to each other. The pats on the back. Clay said hello to me by name from the second day on the job to always. I so admired him. Prayers and fond smiles for Clay always. (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Shelia Yux

Working for the Iams Company was an honor and a privilege. I was very young in my career when Joan Fedders hired me and was afforded many opportunities to grow within the organization. Clay's leadership guided a work culture that was simple yet motivating. Be honest, do your best and treat others with dignity and respect. He believed that the power of the decision had nothing to do with the power of the position and that everyone should know the mission. It's not surprising that I can still recite the mission today without pause. Thank you, Clay, for letting me be part of something very special. May God bless you and your family. You are in my prayers. (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Marsha Mosko Pohlman

The first time I met Clay was to talk with him about a series of lunches with staff at Aileron. I was struck by how he immediately helped me feel at ease. It was like talking with someone I’d known for a very long time, only we’d just met. He cared about my project and what I was trying to accomplish, and he also cared about me personally. He genuinely wanted to know me. All my conversations with Clay reinforced the importance of caring for people. I’m forever grateful.

~ Kristen Rhoads

Clay is an inspiration to many of us. From his business savvy to his support of the employees and community. I continue to compare the companies I have worked at to Iams. The ones with a similar management style are the ones I have enjoyed the most. Great leaders draw in great employees and Iams truly was one of the great places to work. Thank you for allowing all of us to be part of that shared experience. Prayers for you, Clay and your family. (Sourced from Facebook)

~ Steve Baumgardner

Clay, your generous & charitable ways have been an inspiration to all of us. Every employee of The Iams Company felt valued and an important member of your team. Your leadership was truly a blessing to all. Prayers for you and your family. And simply thank you for all that you’ve done, accomplished and given to others. (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Lisa Meyer

Clay, I have always thought of you as one of the greatest people I’ve ever known. You could be an inspiring boss, a great friend and you always had your employees’ welfare at heart. I will continue to sing your praises for as long as I walk this earth. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always. (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Rick Heindl

I think the only way you can truly understand the culture and atmosphere of Iams was to be fortunate enough to have worked there and been a part of Clay’s inspiring leadership. From intern to corporate employee to the sales field, those 11 years shaped me and my expectations for a workplace. No greater leader, no greater man. Much love and prayers. (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Sherri Beck Noah

It would be remiss not to recall the time the Iams-Aurora Nebraska plant inadvertently overpaid their school taxes by $90k. I heard about it on Paul Harvey's News. How Iams Company decided to let the school keep the overpayment. I was stunned when I listened to the story. Then a proudness welled up inside me I'd never felt about a company I worked for. America heard of your generosity and right then you became a hero to me. The unheard-of generosity to this small little Nebraska town deserved national recognition, which it did indeed.

Thanks Clay, for me being proud to work for Iams. (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Michael McKenzie

Clay is one of the most selfless people I have ever met. No matter what he had going on he would always take the time to ask “how are you doing and is there anything I can help with?” And, when he asked you that, he actually really wanted to know. I think this is what he believed he could achieve with Aileron but just on a larger scale. Understanding how Business Owners are doing and how Aileron could help them. He committed to an organization, in Aileron, that has and will continue to help Business Owners and their organizations thrive. For this I am incredibly thankful to this wonderful man.

~ Chuck Huggins

I remember interviewing at Iams and being told it was like a family. That was such a cliche about businesses and workplaces back then when I joined Iams in the early 90s. The thing was, Clay and Mary truly walked the talk. I can think of too many examples to even try to share. Clay, you set the bar very high for pet food manufacturers everywhere, which improved the lives of millions of pets across the world. Thank you for the chance to help make your vision come to life. It was the greatest privilege of my life. Sending out prayers for you and your family. (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Valerie Stern

It was an honor and great privilege to be even a little part of the great Iams Company! Glenn Williams hired me into the “dog” marketing department (later marketing split into Iams and Eukanuba brand marketing). Clay’s servant leadership was the best! His moral and ethical values speak volumes of his true character. His care and generosity to his employees were overwhelming - so different from the other corporate environments I had worked. Praying with all my heart that the blessings he (and Mary) gave to The Iams Family will come back to him pressed down and overflowing! May God grant you His peace and ever presence at this time! You have my upmost respect! Thank you, Clay! (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Anne Sharp Vance

Clay always greeted me by name. Regardless of how many employees we had, how many entities he was involved in, who was in the room, he made an effort to learn everyone’s names and use them. Clay congratulated me when he found out I was expecting my first child. He said, “I don’t mind paying for babies- that is the best thing health insurance could be used for!” He went on to ask about my son whenever he saw me and ask how my husband’s business was going. He cared so much about people, and their families and lives. Clay, you will be missed. You made such an incredible impact on so many. Words can’t express how grateful I am for the opportunities you gave to me through Aileron to grow and learn. My life and my family are better off for having known you, and for the gift of Aileron and professional management you gave the community.

~ Krista Powell

Thank you for giving a country boy from Tennessee a chance to see the world and help make a difference. Because of your vision and leadership, I was allowed to be a small part of some amazing teams and have led a truly blessed life. #CCPP (Sourced from Facebook post)

~ Eric Altom

No one man has done so much for so many and asked for so little in return as Clay Mathile.

~ Tom Rowe