SHAMROCK FOODS COMPANY CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND FORMER CEO NORMAN P. MCCLELLAND PASSED AWAY TUESDAY
Shamrock Foods Company announced today that Norman P. McClelland, 90, passed away on Tuesday after a brief illness. After serving as CEO for Shamrock Foods Company for 45 years, McClelland continued as a guiding force for the company by serving as Chairman of the Board until the time of his passing.
Shamrock Foods Company – parent company of Shamrock Farms and Shamrock Foods – was founded by Norman’s father, W.T. McClelland, in Tucson, Ariz., in 1922 with a Model T truck and 20 cows. After 95 years in business, it is now one of the top privately held companies in the United States and one of the top 100 employers in Arizona. Norman was born in Tucson, Ariz., on June 21, 1927. He received a dual B.S./B.A. degree in agriculture and business administration from the University of Arizona before moving to Phoenix, where he raised his family and grew the Shamrock business.
“My father was an iconic leader whose wisdom and leadership values will continue to be a guiding force for the company,” said Kent McClelland, President and Chief Executive Officer for Shamrock Foods Company. “He was loved by all who knew him, and I’m honored to carry on his legacy of business leadership and devotion to public service.”
Norman personified Shamrock’s long-standing commitment to “treat associates like family and customers and suppliers like friends.” The impact of Shamrock Foods Company extends far beyond the quality products it manufactures and distributes, because Norman believed it’s just as much the company’s duty to give back to the community as it is to provide superior products. Thanks to Norman’s leadership, Shamrock Foods Company supports more than 80 non-profit groups and donates more than 450,000 pounds of food annually to local food banks.
Not only was giving back to the community a philosophy McClelland instilled in his company, but he himself served as a role model by actively supporting many charitable, business and community organizations including the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix Mountain Preserve, the Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Club, and Interfaith Ministries, among others.
Throughout his lifetime, Norman served as a leader for organizations including the Arizona State Fair, 100 Club of Arizona, Phoenix Mountain Preservation Commission, Save Our Mountains Foundation, University of Arizona Eller School of Management, Rockford Institute, Howard Center, Goldwater Institute, Joe Foss Institute, Duet and the Irish Cultural & Learning Center.
Norman’s Irish heritage was a source of tremendous pride, and he dedicated much of his time to ensuring that Irish culture continues to thrive in Arizona. He kept in touch with his family in Ireland and frequently traveled there to see family and friends. He was actively involved in the Phoenix Irish Cultural Center and led the charge to create the center’s 11,000-square-foot state-of-the-art library. In 2016, he received the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad from the Irish President in recognition of his commitment to promoting Irish culture and history.
He placed a high value on education and remained an active supporter of his alma mater, the University of Arizona, throughout his life. Norman and his sister, Frances H. McClelland, were both alumni. In 2008, McClelland Park was built to house the John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences, and in 1992 the new Eller College of Management facility was dedicated and named McClelland Hall in their honor.
A viewing will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. PST, Friday, July 21 at Valley Presbyterian Church (6947 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, Ariz.).
Memorial services will take place in both Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., as follows:
10 a.m. PST, Saturday, July 22 at Valley Presbyterian Church (6947 E. McDonald Dr., Paradise Valley, Ariz.)
2 p.m. PST, Sunday, July 23 at Trinity Presbyterian Church (400 E. University Blvd., Tucson, Ariz.)
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Mr. McClelland’s memory can be made to the Phoenix Irish Cultural Center at www.azirish.org/support-registration or by calling 602-258-0109.
About Shamrock Foods Company
Founded in 1922 and still family-owned and -operated, Shamrock Foods Company specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of quality food and food-related products. The company has become a symbol of integrity for households and businesses. Shamrock continues serving customers through a family of companies, including Shamrock Foods, one of the Top 10 foodservice distributors nationwide, and Shamrock Farms, one of the largest family-owned and –operated dairies in the nation. To learn more, visit www.shamrockfoods.com.
