ACT chief stepping down

The man who has led ACT for more than two decades is retiring.

Richard “Dick” Ferguson, 69, spent his last day at the helm of the company on Tuesday.  He has been an employee of ACT since 1972.

The company produces the popular ACT college entrance examination that was taken by more than 1.5 million high school students during the past school year.  ACT also offers a host of other education and workforce development products.  The company employs about 1,500 people.

Ferguson said a major highlight during his years leading ACT was seeing the company evolve from one focused just on the high school to college transition to with a broader, international focus.

“We believe that the better that all young people are prepared for education and work the happier we will be both as a nation and as a world,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson believes the company's efforts under his watch have made a difference.

“At the heart of everything we do there are individuals impacted by the decisions that we make, the manner that we go about the work we do,” he said.  “We are touching lives.”

Ferguson's successor as CEO is former University of Iowa provost Jon Whitmore, 65, who has been currently serving as the president of San Jose State University in California.  Whitmore starts as ACT's CEO on Wednesday.  Ferguson also served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors.  Whitmore will just serve as a board member.  Mark Musick is the new Chairman of the Board.  Musick is currently the :Lead Director on the ACT Board of Directors.