JACKSON, Tenn. — Jan. 8, 2026 — Union University’s McAfee School of Business will host Mark Whitacre, the highest-ranking executive in U.S. history to become a whistleblower, for its annual Faith in the Marketplace luncheon Feb. 10.
Whitacre’s extraordinary true story inspired the Matt Damon film “The Informant” and the Discovery Channel documentary “Undercover,” recounting his role as the FBI’s key informant during the Archer Daniels Midland price-fixing scandal in the 1990s. Drawing on more than two decades of executive leadership, extensive international business experience and undercover work, Whitacre now speaks on ethics, leadership, integrity, redemption and the central role his Christian faith played in his personal transformation and second chance.
Whitacre holds a degree from Ohio State University and a doctorate from Cornell University and rose rapidly through Fortune 500 leadership, becoming the youngest divisional president in ADM history and later a corporate vice president.
“The annual Faith in the Marketplace luncheon is an opportunity for Union students and professionals in the Jackson community to hear from successful Christian business leaders,” said Colene Trent, professor of economics at Union. “It also provides local business leaders with the opportunity to learn more about how Christians can integrate their faith into the workplace.”
Sponsored by Centennial Bank, the Faith in the Marketplace luncheon is open to the public and will be held from 12-1:30 p.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center, with seating and food service beginning at 11:45 a.m. Cost is $35 per seat or $250 per table of eight. Registration is available at uu.edu/events/marketplace. Deadline is Feb. 2.