John Bonsell, a Member of Congress and SAIC’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs

John Bonsell is an American defense policy expert and former lobbyist for military contractors. Recently, he joined Science Applications International Corporation (NASDAQ: SAIC) as their Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.

Bonsell has over two decades of experience in both public and private sectors. He served in the Army as Chief of Concepts and Doctrine before retiring as a Field Artillery Officer.

Early Life and Education

John Bonsell was born around 1936 and grew up in Binghamton, New York with his parents and siblings.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Penn State University, while also serving as a Congressional aide in Washington, D.C.

He is currently the Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for Science Applications International Corp., a company with 25,000 employees and pro forma annual revenues of $7.1 billion. In this role, he will collaborate with federal executive branch officials, members of Congress and their staffs, state and local officials to support SAIC’s strategic objectives. Previously he served as Majority Staff director on the Senate Armed Services Committee where he managed confirmation oversight responsibilities related to Department of Defense security functions as well as other security functions.

Professional Career

Over his career, Bonsell has been instrumental in pioneering some of the most groundbreaking defense and security technologies and innovations. He even spearheaded the first manned space flight in history and created the Air Force’s modernization program. Most significantly, as a member of Congress, he can help shape our nation’s military’s future direction.

Bonsell, in his current position as staff director of the Senate Armed Services Committee, deserves much credit for recognizing the value of collaboration. He has made it his mission to connect industry and government in order to find new ways of encouraging cooperation during these trying economic times for our military services.

Achievements and Honors

John Bonsell is a highly decorated member of the congressional staff, having served as ranking staff director for the Senate Armed Services Committee. Additionally, he serves as senior vice president for government affairs for Reston-based Fortune 500 defense contractor Science Applications International Corp (SAIC), which announced in January that it would be returning after taking an extended hiatus. SAIC boasts pro forma annual revenues exceeding $7 billion and employs more than 25,000 personnel.

Bonsell is the author of a book about defense technology that was released in 2013. It has been translated into over 20 languages and sold nearly 250,000 copies; it targets military personnel, contractors and policymakers alike. Furthermore, Bonsell holds memberships in both the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Defense Technology Innovation Agency.

Personal Life

John Bonsell has earned notoriety for his work in defense and national security policy. A congressional aide since 2001, he served as Military Legislative Assistant to Senator James Inhofe before serving as Deputy Chief of Staff to Senator Inhofe beginning in 2015.

Bonsell recently returned to Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) as Senior Vice President for Government Affairs. In this role, he will be accountable for supporting SAIC’s strategic objectives through interactions with federal executive branch officials, members of Congress and their staffs, state and local officials. Bonsell previously worked at SAIC as a consultant from 2007-2012 before being promoted to Vice President for Government Affairs from 2015-2018; additionally he filed personal financial disclosures with the IRS during this time.