John Compton graduated from UT in 1983 with a degree in finance. At UT he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. Following UT graduation, he took a position with Frito-Lay in Pulaski, Tennessee, and worked the third shift making cookies. He rose through the ranks of sales and marketing to be named chief executive officer of PepsiCo Americas Foods in November 2007. In March 2008 he was elected to the board of directors of the Pepsi Bottling Group.
In September 2012 Compton was named CEO of Knoxville-based Pilot Flying J, with previous CEO Jimmy (James A., III) Haslam becoming chairman. In February 2013 Haslam returned to the company as CEO, with Compton becoming an advisor to Pilot Flying J, the Haslam family, and the Cleveland Browns, which Haslam had purchased in October 2012. In September 2013 Compton joined a New York private equity firm, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, as an operating adviser. He continued to live in Knoxville and serve as an advisor to the Haslam family and the Browns.
The dean’s suite in the James A. Haslam II Business Building is named in Compton’s honor, recognizing his contribution to supporting enhanced technology in the Haslam Building and the College of Business’ College Fund for Business Administration. In 2010 he was honored as the Distinguished Alumnus of the year of the College of Business, marking the 21st time the award (begun in 1982) had been given.