ACT Board Selects Whitmore as New CEO

Former UI provost begins September 1

The ACT board of directors named Jon Whitmore, former University of Iowa provost who is currently the president of San Jose State University, as ACT's new chief executive officer. The appointment is effective Sept. 1, the beginning of ACT's new fiscal year.

"ACT's directors are very enthusiastic to have Jon Whitmore become our next CEO. We wanted an accomplished leader with notable executive experience and an exemplary track record of success," ACT Board Lead Director Mark Musick stated in a press release. "We found just the right person in Jon. We're confident that he will provide outstanding leadership to expand ACT's role in helping shape state and national education and workforce policy and in helping more people achieve education and workplace success."

San Jose State University is a major comprehensive research university located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Previously, Mr. Whitmore served as president of Texas Tech University and as provost at the University of Iowa.

"I look forward to carrying on ACT's upward trajectory, which has been skillfully advanced by Dick Ferguson and ACT's excellent staff," Mr. Whitmore stated. "ACT's reputation for excellence, and its mission of helping people achieve education and workplace success, are needed today more than ever. With President (Barack) Obama's goal of dramatically increasing the number of citizens who graduate from high school, community colleges and four-year colleges, and with the need to retrain many Americans who have lost jobs or are looking to change professions, ACT has a vital role to play at this critical time in history."

Mr. Whitmore was selected after a nationwide search by ACT's board, assisted by the Spencer Stuart executive search firm. Richard Ferguson, ACT's current CEO and chairman, joined ACT in 1972 and has led the organization for 22 years. Under his leadership, ACT grew into a highly respected international organization offering a broad array of assessment, information and program management solutions in the areas of education and workforce development, with more than 1,500 employees located in offices worldwide.