Forty Under 40: Gary Tollett

Gary Tollett didn’t get into agribusiness on purpose. But after mastering the art of corn trading, what else could a guy do?

The Springdale native was brokering corn out of Iowa for the J.W. Nutt Co. in North Little Rock when in the summer of 1991 he decided to buy I.D. Russell of Arkansas in Springdale. Shortly thereafter, Tollett changed the company’s name to G&M Animal Health Inc.

Tollett, 34 was with J.W. Nutt for the first two years after college. He kept his owner and president post with I.D. until Jan. 1, 1999, when the company merged with Wade Jones Co. and formed Wynco. Now he makes the day-to-day decisions that guide the business as president and COO.

Wynco, which delivers animal health product for poultry, swine and cattle across the country, expects to reach $90 million in gross sales this year. Tollett said the company also delivers probably another $200 million worth of products for other companies.

Five vice presidents and 130 total employees answer to Tollett, who said the trick to Wynco’s success is surviving in a mature market with a lot of competition.

Tollett is a fanatic duck hunter who makes his blinds near Des Arc. He also plays golf and loves coaching his children’s Kiwanis Day Football games, as well as youth T-ball and basketball.