Lino Saputo

Emanuele "Lino" Saputo, CM OQ (born June 10, 1937) is an Italian-Canadian businessman. He is the founder and chairman of the Canadian cheese manufacturer Saputo, Inc. He is sixth-richest man in Canada, and the 298th richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of $4 billion as of September 2014.

Early life

Saputo was born in Montelepre, Sicily, Italy, in 1937, to Giuseppe Saputo, a cheesemaker, and his wife Maria. He completed his secondary schooling in 1952, and shortly thereafter the Saputo family immigrated to Montreal, Quebec.

Career

Lino Saputo became Chairman of the Board and President of Saputo, Inc. in 1969, and was named Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1998 when the company went public.

In March 2004, his son Lino Saputo, Jr., was appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer. Lino Saputo continues to act as the company's Chairman.

Other interests

Saputo also owns an important stake in the trucking company, TransForce, and has extensive investments in real estate, forest products, hotels and golf courses.

Philanthropy

Saputo committed C$7.5 million towards the construction of Montreal Impact's Saputo Stadium at Olympic Park in July 2006.

In 2011, he was made an Officer of the National Order of Quebec. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (CM), per the Canada Gazette, on September 1, 2012, and Government House announcement on June 29, 2012.