Bruce has been in agriculture his entire life growing up on a grain and livestock farm in Jay County, near Portland, Indiana as a 4-H and FFA member. His formal education is in agriculture and business with degrees from Purdue, Penn State, and the University of Indianapolis.

Bruce served our country for three years in the U.S. Army, and after 28 years he retired from Elanco Animal Health, a Division of Eli Lilly & Company, in 2008.

He is currently Advisory Board President for the Beech Grove Applied Life Sciences Agricultural Education Program, National FFA Organization Agricultural Issues Committee, and Co-Coordinator of both Bethany Community Gardens and the Southdale Neighborhood Association.

In 2021, Bruce was awarded the Certificate of Distinction for outstanding service to agriculture by the Purdue Agricultural Alumni Association.