On April 21, The Herald Business Journal will announce the 2016 recipient of the Emerging Leaders Award. This week and next, we are profiling 12 finalists, who were chosen by a panel of judges from among dozens of nominees.
It would be enough to be responsible for one major innovation at Everett Community College.
John Bonner has had a hand in two.
Bonner, who has worked at the college since 2005, worked to reinvent EVCC’s Corporate &Continuing Education Center, which aims to help people already underway in their careers learn a new trade, sharpen skills, pursue a promotion, prepare for a new job or increase profits at their business.
The program was struggling before Bonner stepped in. Afterward, it became the second biggest program of its kind in the state with 9,500 enrollments per year. The program operates like a business and its revenues help support the college as a whole.
Then, Bonner was tapped to make a long-held dream at the college into a reality: Create a one-of-a-kind training facility that resembles a factory to give students hands-on experience. The Advanced Manufacturing Training &Education Center opened in the 2014-15 school year.
In its first year, more than 1,000 students went through the center, the project earned industry praise including from Boeing and the college’s Board of Trustees has approved a 17,000-square-foot expansion.
Bonner has also been involved with other efforts both at the college and the community, including co-chairing the college’s five-year strategic vision and serving as a board member for both Economic Alliance Snohomish County board member and Boys &Girls Club Snohomish County.
Bonner credits his father Don for setting an example for his life. Bonner’s mother died when he was 6 and his father raised him and his two siblings.
He said his father had many admirable traits and one that he’s attempted to follow is to work for something greater than oneself.
“It is hard to think of a greater gift to give someone than a quality education,” Bonner writes in his nomination form. “Learning has intrinsic value. It inspires, empowers, and enables. I would like to continue to play a leading role in supporting more individuals, especially those facing financial or other barriers, in accessing the education experiences and opportunities that have so richly blessed my life.”
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