Awards

Scott Shearer is a native of Villa Grove, IL, who has become one of the top national leaders in agriculture on Capitol Hill. Scott obtained his bachelor’s in Agricultural Economics from the University of Illinois in 1970. After serving as an Extension Advisor in Carroll County for two years he came back to the University to work on his Master’s in Ag Economics. While working towards this degree, Scott joined the Illinois State Treasurer’s office, beginning his outstanding career in legislative affairs and public service. He soon became Chief Fiscal Officer under State Treasurer Alan Dixon, and after completing his Master’s degree in 1975, was asked by Dixon to join his Illinois Secretary of State cabinet in 1976.

Mr. Shearer served as Director of Vehicle services for our state for five years, making the “most significant advancement in public service by that office in the history of [Illinois]. He then traveled to Washington State with Mr. Dixon when Dixon was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1981. In Washington Scott has become a key player in the development of national and global agriculture and trade policies. The many roles that he has taken on include Dixon’s legislative assistant for agriculture, the first executive director of the National Corn Grower’s Association, USDA Deputy Assistant for Congressional Affairs, Director of National Relations for Farmland Industries Incorporate, and member of the US delegation to the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference.

He currently serves as Vice President of the Bockorny Group, a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in DC. Through his work in these positions, Scott has helped to advance agriculture in our country and has been influential in developing trade policies with China, Australia, and Cuba. He is described as a man of “high integrity…and solid citizenship” by all of his nominators. In addition to all of his hard work in government affairs, Scott has remained a dedicated Illini. Faculty, students, and alumni have all benefited from Scott’s contributions to the University and College of ACES over the past few decades. He has been a member of the ACE department advisory committee and College of ACES Alumni Board of Directors, and is an active member of the U of I Alumni Club of Greater Washington, DC. He is a President’s Council Member and has established a scholarship fund for agriculture students. In all of his positions Scott has always remembered the University and looked for every opportunity to advance and benefit Illinois agriculture and the College of ACES.