Welcome Home Project

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Honorably served in the United States Navy from 1972 to 1974 during the

Vietnam era. He was stationed aboard the USS Frederick (LST-1184), a Landing Ship Transport

that carried full companies of U.S. Marines throughout the theater. Serving as a Ship

Serviceman, he managed and operated the ship’s snack store, providing comfort and morale to

his fellow sailors while supporting the broader mission in Southeast Asia.

After his service, he earned a degree in Applied Business from Columbus Technical Institute

(now Columbus State Community College) in 1977. That same year, he married and went on to

raise three children, now cherishing his four grandchildren.

In 1981, he became a born-again Christian and has faithfully followed the Lord Jesus Christ for

over 43 years. He began a 30-year career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1984 and retired in

2014. Since then, he has served his local church, Rhema Christian Center, as Chaplain and

Assistant Pastor.

Born and raised in Cols.

Graduated from The Ohio State University (High School; BS; and MS).

Drafted into US Army in 1968; in Vietnam 69-70; Honorable Discharge 1971.

Enlisted into the USA Reserve from 1984 to 1990.

Strong Man of God that advocate for Community Service; Mental Health and Substance

Abuse Services.

Former Counselor; Teacher; Administrator; and Trainer.

Presently I serve as the President of the Greater Columbus Basketball Legends

Association (GCBLA); and volunteer as the US Military Advocate located at Marion

Franklin Recreation Parks and Recreation.

employed at the ADAMH Board for 27 years; Now in his new role as our

Military and Veterans Engagement Coordinator. John’s role expands our community

outreach, and prioritizes community engagement efforts for the Franklin County military

service members, veteran populations and their families, to assist in the reduction of stigma,

Mental Health and Behavioral Treatment along with recovery services.

John served in the U.S. Airforce as a para-military combat medic in Vietnam. In active-duty,

John also served as a member of the Air Transportable Hospital (ATH) stationed at the Royal Air

Force in Lakenheath, England, as a Surgeon’s Assistant.

While deployed, John’s ATH unit provided medical assistance and extractions from designated

warzone locations worldwide, for covert-operations in highly compromised War-torn areas; the

unit received a Presidential Citation for their service.

John has also served as a Veterans Representative for the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation,

Member of the Central Ohio Behavioral Health VA Advisory Council, Veterans Primus Group,

the Prevention Action Alliance is a Certified Veteran Peer Counselor, Certified QPR Instructor,

and was recently appointed to the Ohio State Suicide Prevention Stakeholders Group.

Also, John is the Regional Director of Christian Education for the A.M.E. Zion Church serving

major cities in Ohio. John has provided advocacy in diverse areas of service from cities and

states in the U.S. and abroad, in Barbados, Guyana, St. Vincent, England, Ghana Africa and

South America.

John currently serves as the Dir. of Christian Education for the First A.M.E. Zion Church of

Columbus, OH, called the Mid-Atlantic Region.

John holds an Associate’s degree in Sociology, a BS in Criminal Justice/Business Administration,

with a Minor in Radio/Television Production, and a MBA in Economic and Community

Development Strategies.

In May 2024, John was recognized as the Man of the Year by The First A.M.E. Zion Church; a

worldwide denomination collaborative.

John has been married for 47 years. He has four daughters, and 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandsons.