BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
John C. Simonson
EXPERIENCE:
- Grew up on Wisconsin dairy farm
- Three years in U.S. Army
- Educated at UW-Oshkosh and UW-Madison
- 40 years teaching economics at UW-Platteville
- Consultant to local businesses and governments
John Simonson is a Wisconsin native, growing up on a dairy farm in Waushara County. He graduated from Wautoma High School in 1957, and earned a bachelor degree in economics and English from UW-Oshkosh in 1961. After a three-year stint in the U.S. Army, he earned advanced degrees in economics from UW-Madison in 1965 and 1973.
He taught economics at UW-Platteville from 1966 until his retirement in 2004. During that period he broadened his knowledge of real-world economics through several leaves-of-absence from the University to work in Washington, D.C., as a policy analyst for the Urban Institute, National Association of Realtors, U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, World Bank, and Comptroller of the Currency.
John has always been a strong believer and practitioner of The Wisconsin Idea, the distinguishing characteristic of the University of Wisconsin System. The Wisconsin Idea means universities serve not only students on campus, but farmers, businesses, local governments and citizens as well. His work in Southwestern Wisconsin has included benefit-cost analyses, economic impact studies and other policy advice to help local governments, industries and organizations determine the most cost-effective plans of action. In 2004, he was cited for that work and named a “UW-System Wisconsin Idea Fellow.”
In 2002, John established the Center for Applied Public Policy at UW-Platteville, serving as its director until his retirement from the University. In addition to policy-outreach services by UW-Platteville faculty, students, and staff, the Center provides useful information to policy-makers throughout SW Wisconsin through its bi-monthly newsletter.
John has also served on several public service committees, including the Leadership Council for the Grassroots Citizens of Wisconsin, the Board of Directors for the Lafayette County Restorative Justice Program, the District 12 Investigative Committee of the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation, and the Economic Restructuring Committee of the Platteville Main Street Program.
John is married to Jubie, a school counselor at Pecatonica High School. He is a grandfather of seven, and resides in Waldwick Township of Iowa County. They say “You can take a boy off the farm, but you can’t take the farmer out of the boy.” As proof, John has a couple of Golden Retrievers around the house, a cat or two and a pair of llamas. He tends a sizeable vegetable garden and on occasion helps a neighbor bale hay.
Authorized and Paid for by Friends of John Simonson, PO Box 44, Darlington WI 53530, Marilyn "Midge" Steger, Treasurer
