Impact Of A Scholarship: Al Carey

Carey graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in urban studies. However, he got his first professional experience as a senior intern in the D.C. governor’s office. Carey planned to continue working there after graduation, but he received an unexpected phone call from a recruiter at Procter & Gamble. 

They were looking for people to work in sales management, but Carey had no experience in the field. Still, Procter & Gamble hired him because of his leadership experience and skills. He worked there for roughly seven years after college. 

Carey moved to Cincinnati, where he was recruited by Frito-Lay, PepsiCo’s billion-dollar food business unit, in 1981. He eventually became the CEO of PepsiCo, a role he held from 2016-19. Overall, he worked at the two companies for a combined 38 years, holding chief executive roles over North America Beverages, Frito-Lay North America and Quaker Foods North America, before his three years as CEO over all three. Carey was instrumental in the contract that brought Pepsi products to the University of Maryland. 

At 72 years old, Carey still uses the leadership skills he learned at Maryland. He’s the board’s executive chairman at Unifi and the board director of The Home Depot, and he holds many other leadership positions at large-scale companies and businesses.  

“I think back to the conversations I had with my coaches about getting straightened out and taking school more seriously,” Carey said. “If I had not been persuaded to take on early leadership positions, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’m quite sure about that.”