College Honors Council for Agricultural Science and Technology CEO

AMES, Iowa -- The CEO of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) has been honored by the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

John Bonner, who is retiring today as CAST's executive vice president and chief executive officer, was presented the college's Impact Award for Extraordinary Partnership. He was honored by Joe Colletti, the college's senior associate dean, at a reception Jan. 23 on the Iowa State campus.

"Dr. Bonner is truly deserving of this award for promoting scientific thought and communicating complicated issues to decision-makers and the public," Colletti said.

CAST is a nonprofit organization that produces scientific reports on agricultural issues including animal sciences, food sciences and agricultural technology, plant and soil sciences and plant protection sciences.

Bonner has served as the head of the Ames-based organization since 2005. During his tenure, Bonner implemented many new projects to revitalize the 40-year-old organization, such as producing videos based on CAST publications; the active use of social media to communicate with a wider audience; and a program to make materials available to university students and staff at land-grant institutions.

Bonner earned three degrees from Iowa State: a doctorate in nutritional physiology in 1974, a master's degree in animal production in 1971 and a bachelor's degree in dairy science in 1968.