
Paul Ahn, founder and president of Flavor Materials International, passed away on February 8, 2021. He was 69 years old.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Paul founded FMI in 1984. He grew the business from a small local operation to a multinational company with footprints in the United States, Asia and Central America. Paul loved this industry and poured his heart and soul into making Flavor Materials International the company that it is today.
Paul left a lasting impression on everyone he met. He will be widely remembered for his creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and enduring personal relationships throughout the industry. Paul will be greatly missed, but his legacy and vision will live on through the FMI team.
Want to know everything going on in flavor & fragrance? Sign up for P&F+'s newsletter. You can also follow along on Instagram and LinkedIn.






!['[R]etaining this next generation will depend on continuing to position flavor science as a field where individuals can combine scientific excellence with creativity and real-world impact, shaping how consumers experience food in ways that improve both health and sustainability,' says John Savage, IOFI president and president and CEO of Taste at Kerry.](https://img.perfumerflavorist.com/mindful/allured/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/07/john-savage.Cws5vQDBLp.jpg?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=191&q=70&w=340)



