Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden

Bill Kurtis, president of Kurtis Productions and founder of Tallgrass Beef

An acclaimed journalist, documentary host and producer, network and major market news anchor, and multimedia production company president, Bill Kurtis is celebrating his 40th anniversary in the field of broadcasting. Over the years, Kurtis has created a body of work that is virtually unparalleled. Kurtis began his career in Topeka, Kansas, in the '60s, moving on to Chicago where he was anchor of The Channel Two News, then to network news as anchor of the CBS Morning News where he was credited with breaking the Agent Orange story.

In 1985 he began his career as a documentarian and subsequently founded Kurtis Productions, producing programs for the A&E Network, including Investigative Reports and Cold Case Files® as well as Investigating History for The History Channel. Kurtis has also served as the host of A&E's American Justice and Cold Case Files®, nominated for 2004 and 2005 Primetime Emmys. Kurtis is also an author. The Death Penalty on Trial: Crisis in American Justice (PublicAffairs) is his most recent book, which explores issues surrounding capital punishment in America.

In his home state of Kansas, Kurtis is a rancher, radio station owner, art gallery owner, small businessman, and an active conservationist. His 10,000-acre Red Buffalo Ranch is a working cattle ranch, raising organic grass-fed beef from a breed dating back to colonial times. Kurtis founded Tallgrass Beef Co. in 2005 and has successfully marketed his beef to top restaurants throughout the country. The ranch is located in the last section of North America to enjoy untouched tall grass prairie, a personal point of pride.

Kurtis is the recipient of numerous humanitarian, journalism, and broadcasting awards including Emmys, CableACE Awards, and the Thurgood Marshall Award for his Investigative Reports installment on the death penalty. He is a published author and a member of the board of directors of several distinguished organizations including The Nature Conservancy, the National Park Foundation, and the Field Museum of Chicago.

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