John is a proud North Carolinian. Born in Raleigh, he studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, receiving a degree in Journalism. He then pursued a master’s in Education from Indiana University in Bloomington. And, finally, received an MBA from the Kenan Flagler school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He began his career in Marketing Management at Sara Lee Corporation, where he served 21 years. He was then the Vice president of Kaplan Early Learning Company, a company that sells products to daycares and Head Starts. In 2004, with a business partner, he started Windward Group, a boutique consultancy, providing consulting in marketing. They served clients like Crate&Barrel, Godiva Chocolate, World Vision, Barnes & Noble, Nationwide Insurance and 4-H. John Retired in 2022.

John has had a lifelong passion for missions. Beginning with short term mission trips to a number of countries, and, for ten years, he led teams to Haiti, doctors and dentists, providing humanitarian aid.

From 2016 to 2019, he was a missionary for the Anglican Church in Rwanda, working for the Anglican Archbishop. He established a capital investment company, owned by the Anglican Church, to make real estate investments to provide a rental income stream to fund ministries of the Church.

In retirement, John dedicates himself to a number of pursuits. He has a passion for investing in the next generation of Christian leaders by mentoring younger men. He has also provided pro bono consulting to a number of Christian organizations.

John has a passion for both travel and connection, and often his  trips involve connecting with friends around the world.