U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner

U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner will discuss business-related legislation and regulation with students at the University of South Alabama’s Mitchell College of Business Monday, April 30 at 4 p.m. Bonner’s discussion, which will be held in the Mitchell College of Business Room 265, is open to the public.

The Financial Management Association, a student group, invited Bonner to campus. Dr. Ross Dickens, chair of the economics and finance department, is the faculty advisor for the group.

Bonner also will give the USA Spring 2012 Commencement address on Saturday, May 12 at 2 p.m., at the USA Mitchell Center.

Rep. Jo Bonner

First elected to Congress by the people of Alabama’s First District in 2002, U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner’s priorities include a conservative approach to government spending, a pro-business mindset, and stellar constituent service.

During the past ten years, Rep. Bonner, in coordination with local and state leaders, has been proactive in helping to successfully attract new industries to the district, instilling growth and creativity in the 21st century business community.  He has worked aggressively alongside the Governor’s office in recruiting several significant economic projects to the state – projects that will continue to fuel the economic engine of Alabama for generations to come. 

Rep. Bonner has been a staunch supporter of all aspects of the University of South Alabama’s growth, including strong support of the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute.

A member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Bonner has served as a vigilant guardian of the taxpayers’ money.  On the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Bonner serves on the subcommittees of Commerce, Justice and Science,  Defense and Financial Services.

After only three terms in office, Rep. Bonner was selected by the House Republican Leadership to the position of Ranking Republican of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, more commonly known as the Ethics Committee. His oversight over matters relating to the Code of Official Conduct of the House has recently placed him in the national spotlight.  For this Congress, he was named Chairman of the House Ethics Committee.

Born in Selma and reared in the town of Camden, in rural Wilcox County, Rep. Bonner grew up in a family where public service was looked upon as an obligation, not an option.

His father, the late Judge Josiah Robins Bonner, led Wilcox County during the tense 1960s and early 1970s. Other relatives, including his grandmother and great-uncle, served with distinction in both local and state government. His mother, an Army nurse during World War II, was often seen volunteering at local blood drives. 

A congressional staffer for 18 years, Rep. Bonner served as both press secretary and chief of staff to his predecessor, former Congressman Sonny Callahan.  In 1997, he and his family moved back to southwest Alabama where he became one of the few congressional chiefs of staff to reside in the district. 

Upon returning home, Rep. Bonner became active in the life of Mobile and southwest Alabama. Today, he is a member of the Rotary Club of Mobile, the Mobile Lions Club, Mobile United and the Touchdown Club. 

He has also served as a member of the board of directors for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club and Leadership Mobile.

In 2000, the College of Communications at the University of Alabama honored him as their Outstanding Alumnus in Public Relations. He was a member of Leadership Mobile, Class of 2000, where his classmates elected him co-president. 

Rep. Bonner and his wife, Janée, have two children. The family resides in Mobile and attends St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.