John T. Ackerman has led a life of distinguished service. He served in the United States Navy aboard the U.S.S. Radford. As an educator he holds a B. A. in Secondary Education as well as LHD, Honoris Causa from the College of Santa Fe, and was an adjunct/visiting faculty member for the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management, from 1997 - 2002.  He was named Rust Professor of Business Ethics in 2003 and serves to the present.

Upon graduation from the University of New Mexico with a B. S. in Electrical Engineering John joined General Electric Corporation as a design and development engineer.  Following graduation from New Mexico State University with an M. S. in Utility Management as well as LLD, Honoris Causa he joined the large power utility Public Service Company of New Mexico and served in various technical and managerial positions including District Vice President, Vice President and Senior Vice President. Continuing in his corporate service he became President and Chief Operating Officer of Gas Company of New Mexico from 1985 to 1990. He was President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board of Public Service Company of New Mexico from 1990 to 1994 and Chairman of the Board from 1994 to 1999. John has remained Chairman Emeritus from 1999 to the present.

His professional associations include: Eta Kappa Nu Honor Society - Life Member, Licensed Professional Engineer; State of New Mexico, Licensed Secondary Education Teacher; State of New Mexico. John’s involvement in civic/community organizations includes: Past Board Chair, Albuquerque Association For Children With Learning Disabilities; Past Board Chair, United Way of Central new Mexico; Past Board Chair, St. Pius X High School; Past Board Chair, Albuquerque Community Foundation; Past Board Chair, Presbyterian Healthcare Systems.  Served as National Associate, Boys Clubs of America.  Served as charter member of the Navajo Museum and Library Foundation and one of four non-Navajo Trustees to serve on the National Board of Directors of the Navajo Museum and Library.  More recently served on New Mexico Council on Crime and Delinquency, Citadel Communications Community Advisory Council, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science Board of Trustees (Chair), and the Menaul School Board of Trustees (Chair) and Founding Chair, The New Mexico Ethics Alliance.
John’s awards and honors include New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award, New Mexico Ethics in Business Award (individual), UNM Zia Award, UNM and NMSU centennial Distinguished Alumni Awards.

His greatest honor is being married to Kim and having three sons and five grandchildren.