Jon grew up and was educated in Tennessee.  He received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics from East Tennessee State University.  After college he spent over 40 years in the work force, serving first in the United States Army for over 20 years in assignments in Europe, Asia and the United states, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.  While in the service Jon was trained as one of only 50 Area Specialists on the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe.  He received numerous military awards including the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and numerous foreign decorations. After the military, Jon worked for 15 years in senior management positions for Johnson Wax and PEPSICO as a Human Resources Director and Corporate Training Director.  Jon also worked in the non-profit area serving as President and CEO of The Living Bank International, an agency promoting organ and tissue donation. Throughout his working career, Jon has been very active in community service organizations such as the United Way, the YMCA, Boy Scouts, American Legion Boy’s State, the Tennessee Episcopal Layman’s Organization, and of course, Rotary International. Jon’s service in Rotary spans over 40 years in Rotary Clubs in Tennessee and Texas.  He held most offices in a Rotary club before serving as Assistant Governor in 2000-2001 and Governor of the Houston District 5890 in 2002-2003.  He served in officer positions in the Lone Star P.E.T.S. for 7 years, ending as Board Chairman in 2009-2010.  Jon was singularly responsible for organizing the largest Intercountry Committee in the Rotary world-the Russia-United States Intercountry Committee with a membership of Representatives from 13 Rotary Districts in the United States, Canada and Russia. Jon and his wife Evelyn are Major Donors and Bequest Society members of The Rotary Foundation.  Jon’s Rotary awards include the Four Avenues of Service Citation awarded by the Rotary International President, the Citation for Meritorious Service presented by The Rotary Foundation, and the Service Above Self Award given by the RI Board of Directors to a maximum of 150 Rotarians worldwide annually.