P. Scott Shearer

2019 D.C. Illini of the Year

P. Scott Shearer has three decades of extensive trade and agricultural policy expertise. As co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S. - China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), Scott was instrumental in the successful passage of China permanent normal trade relations and TPA. He was a key advisor to the Embassy of Australia in the successful Congressional approval of the U.S. – Australia Free Trade Agreement. Scott led the effort for Congress to reauthorize the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD). This $34.5 million per year program is a key trade program for U.S. agriculture.

Scott is principal with the Bockorny Group, a leading bipartisan lobbying firm. Prior to joining the firm in 2003, Scott was Director of National Relations for Farmland Industries, Inc. and was named a private sector member of the U.S. delegation to the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Seattle. He also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Agriculture, directing the agency’s legislative efforts including the 1996 Farm Bill, trade policy, USDA reorganization, crop insurance reform, food safety and nutrition. In the mid-1980s, Scott was executive director of the National Corn Growers Association after serving as a legislative assistant to Senator Alan J. Dixon (IL).

Scott received in 2013 the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s Distinguished Service Award in which USMEF called Scott “one of the leading advocates for American agriculture and agriculture exports.” Scott was awarded in 2009 the University of Illinois College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) Alumni Association’s Award of Merit, the association’s highest honor given to an alum. In 1997, Scott received Alpha Zeta’s Centennial Award, which recognized the top national leaders of agriculture.

He is the past president of the Washington Agricultural Roundtable, St. Louis AgriBusiness Club, Illinois Group, Illinois State Society, and the Missouri – Kansas Forum. Scott serves on the University of Illinois College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) Dean’s Advisory Committee.

Scott received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Illinois.

Former DC Illini of the Year Award Recipients

2018 Robert O. Work

2017 Carl Vacketta

2016 Scott "Scooter" Altman

2015 Dr. Francis Slakey

2014 Michael Jaworek

2013 G. Robert Hillman

2012 David Van Buren

2011 Mr. Stephen Moore

2010 Dr. Evan Glazer

2009 Col. Charles E. McGee

2008 Rob Kennedy