While spending a career in the Army and nonprofit sector, I've kept up my study of the banjo for the past 40 years and am now thrilled to share love of the banjo with students at www.JamAlong.org. Most of my experience is with bluegrass, but I've also ventured into jazz, classical, rock and blues styles of playing. I actually enlisted with the hopes of joining the Army band and ended up in the Infantry and Field Artillery! Fast forward through four wars, serving in the Pentagon on 9-11-01, and 30 years of service, I was fortunate to be able to perform with the Canadian Fiddle champion, the 10th Mountain Division Band and some amazing Afghan pickers during a performance to the provincial Governor of Kandahar. I have also performed for numerous dignitaries in international settings. While I'm currently exploring advanced techniques in single string and Jazz chord progressions, I will be helping beginner and Intermediate students in all aspects of banjo instruction at JamAlong.

Command & Signal (C&S) is a trusted business communications and engagement company. C&S was formed with the goal of providing high-quality, rapid-response communications strategy, planning, implementation and leader engagements to help you grow your business. Command & Signal is built on many of the same tenets that make military units successful; Speed, Agility, Audacity, Attention to Detail, Courage and Commitment. Our goal is to increase your capacity and accelerate results by tailored communications tools, leader engagements, and implementation to grow your business. We tailor all services to your needs, and work to ensure that your business is winning in both Command & Signal.

- Created the first ever George Washington Patriot Expo during the GW Patriot Run at Mount Vernon at 9-11-16. Brought together 15 community and veteran focused nonprofits to connect with 2,000+ participants.- Leveraged the connecting power of popcorn by donating 500 bags of "Sweet Theresa" or "Salty Kernel" to raise $200 for the Coast X Coast Foundation which raises educational funds for children of fallen Special Forces members.- Privileged to serve as the emcee for the inaugural GW Patriots Run at Mount Vernon with 2,000+ runners to celebrate our patriotism on 9-11-16 at Mount Vernon, home of one of our Nation's greatest Patriots.- Recent article published in the Alexadandria Gazette; "Who are Our Patriots?".

Assist the Director of the Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership (CPNL) in developing a Veterans Leadership Initiative. Plan, organize and develop a Veterans Issue Forum (VIF) scheduled for 21 March, 2014 that addresses the strengths, talents and potential that veterans (and families) bring to local communities. Title is "From Nation-building to Community-building: Capitalizing on the strengths of Veterans here at Home." * Planned and executed the GU Veteran Issue Forum on 21 March to change the narrative of veterans from one that focuses on struggles to a story of strengths. Over 170 people attend and forum was broadcast on CSPAN.* Authored a Whitepaper based on the GU Issue Forum Titled: "Changing the Conversation: Capitalizing on the Strength of Veterans Here at Home".

Lead and manage a team of high-caliber and exceptionally talented Guides in the the development and delivery of Warrior PATHH and Family PATHH programs.

Modernized and optimized MOAA’s Career Transition programs by leveraging technology in career transition advice and coaching to veterans preparing to separate from the military. Program manager for MOAA LinkedIn Networking Group, educational webinars, virtual career fairs and team training.* Created an Entrepreneurship Hall and Panel discussion at the MOAA Networking Forum, Washington DC Smithsonian Air & Space Museum on 30 June 2016 that brought together 30 Veteran businesses and Resource providers with more than 900 registered military, veterans and military spouses who are exploring starting their own business.* Planned and implemented a quarterly Virtual Career Fair Program that created a 4 fold increase in participation and 17% pass forward rate of job seekers to next level hiring officials.* Continuously expanding virtual and webinar platform for career, education and networking events that connected with over 2,000 veteran in 12 months.

Facilitate a self-led, collaborative group of cross-sector leaders in Alexandria to create synergy and positive results to strengthen Alexandria through veteran reintegration. Develop and implement 2014 "Year of the Veteran" results based on Mayor's proclamation. * Created and coordinated "Vets Gotta Eat" where 40+ restaurants thanked veterans with discounts while veterans brought business to restaurants.* Co-initiated an effort that hosted 200+ family members during the 2015 Warrior Games in Quantico.* Initiated a "9-11 Flash Commemoration" in Alexandria Market Square through Social Media that brought the Mayor, City Council, Fire and Police Chiefs, and 500+ Citizens in remembrance of 9-11-01 in less than 18 hrs.* Instrumental in creating new and rejuvenating previous relationship between Alexandria and her veterans; 200+ members of AVAG in first 2 years.

Campaign Manager for a minority party Alexandria City Council candidate. Led team of 25 core volunteers in developing strategy, plans, marketing and outreach during 2015 campaign.* Developed campaign strategy that expanded candidate footprint and engagements into west end of city; previously not attained in previous campaign.* Developed and leveraged the social media as a communications platform expanding followers and supporters by 125%.* Holistic approach to execution of canvasing, outreach, media and marketing resulted in candidate finishing 1 out of 4 pear candidates.

The George Washington Birthday Celebration Committee in a public private body and the very oldest community organizations in Alexandria who's purpose is to celebrate the life of George Washington. GWBCC events include the longest continuously running GW parade in the Nation, the GW Birth-night Ball at Gadsby's, and the GW 10K Classic run.* Planned and organized the first Veterans Business Expo at the USPTO in conjunction with the GW 10K Classic in May, 2014 that brought 16 veteran owned businesses together in our first year.* Instrumental in current planning of the 1st Annual GW Patriot Run at Mount Vernon schedule for 11 September, 2016. http://tinyurl.com/hol6pwx

Led a team of 25 military and civilians personnel in the development, synchronization, execution and assessment of Army communications plans and strategies. Oversaw a strategic communications contract valued at $5.2 million. * Redesigned the Plans Division and created a holistic communications planning process leveraging social media and pubic relations, which increased plans dessimination through an online portal by 125%. * Led the development of several Army-wide communications campaigns to include “Soldier for Life,” “Ready and Resilient,” and Sequestration/Budget campaigns that have been praised by Gen Odierno, Army Chief of Staff. Soldier for Life video at http://tinyurl.com/bl6dluy. “John’s strategic insights are exceptional, his work ethic unsurpassed and his contributions to the Army’s communication enterprise will be felt for years to come.” Maj Gen Stephen Lanza, Chief of Public Affairs

Created and led a multi-national team of 65 interagency civilian and military personnel to improve security stability for local Afghan citizens by synchronizing information operations, public affairs, key leader engagements, human terrain teams, assessments and atmospherics, audience analysis, and social/cultural data.* Created an Afghan-led regional radio station in southern Afghanistan at a cost of $3.5 million. Implemented a social media strategy that leveraged SMS Text messaging creating subscription of 35,000 persons and becoming third of the top ten most popular radio stations in only six weeks. * Commended by the U.S. Special Envoy to the Organization of Islamic Council, for our “effective and thoughtful religious and community outreach planning efforts.”* Developed a religious engagement strategy that was adopted by International Stabilization and Assistance Force as model across Afghanistan to improve local security and stability. “Through personal example and unwavering commitment, John created and fostered a flat, learning organization that embraced innovation and provided original, viable solutions to our most complex challenges.” BG Erik Peterson, former Chief of Staff, 10th Mountain Division.

Organized training to prepare a 25,000 multi-national stability force on Effects Operations. Designed and implemented Specialty Skills Initiative (SSI); an interagency pilot program to prepare civilian and military personnel to improve stability operations effectiveness, prior to deployment. Responsible for $15 million worth of equipment.* Through extensive collaboration, SSI synchronized Departments of State, Defense, Justice, USAID, and the Joint Staff in strengthening interagency teams prior to deployment.* Organized and led an SSI Framework Symposium at National Defense University which created consensus to develop the SSI Pilot among 45 stakeholders from government agencies, think tanks, and nonprofits.

Led, trained, and cared for 3,000 Soldiers and their families in a combat arms brigade. Maintenanced over 900 pieces of equipment. Responsible for a $12 million annual budget. * Deployed Soldiers and equipment from three subordinate battalions to three theaters of operation (Iraq, Afghanistan and Horn of Africa) safely with no loss of personnel or equipment.* Developed and led a casualty notification process and family care team approach in the event of casualties. Conducted brigade-wide care team training, which became a model for the Army and was institutionalized as a best practice Army-wide.

Led a team of professionals in creating and implementing an effective strategy.

Led, trained, and cared for 400 Soldiers and their families. Maintained $80 million of combat equipment. • Led, planned and executed the Army’s Operational Test and Evaluation of the HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System), ahead of schedule and meeting all evaluation criteria. • Led all junior leaders (staff sergeant through captain) on a no-notice, 96 hour “munghadai” exercise to assess leadership skills which identified emerging leaders and built lasting bonds.