JON'S STORY
EARLY LIFE
Jon is a lifelong, 14th generation Virginian and a native of Hampton Roads. Growing up with a single mother, Jon's family faced hardships, often struggling to put food on the table and find stable housing. But Jon was blessed to receive a step-father, a former Vietnam-era enlisted Marine, would greatly inspire his decision to himself become a Marine. In the 1980's his parents embarked on a life as CIA operatives. This afforded Jon the opportunity to travel the world and gain valuable insight into foreign cultures and governments. Time spent living in Asia, Europe, and Latin America taught him to understand how blessed he was to be an American. Jon earned a college scholarship with the Navy/Marine Corps and graduated from the George Washington University with a degree in Political Science. He was commissioned a 2ndLt on the same day.
A LIFETIME OF SERVICE
Jon served as a US Marine Corps officer for 28 years. He is a highly decorated veteran of the Iraq War and many other campaigns. One of the most active intelligence officers and national security experts in the USMC, Jon participated in or personally led many of the most high profile national security missions of the last 3 decades, including the rescue of Captain Scott O’Grady from Bosnia; the invasion of Iraq as a member of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force; the Marine Corps response to the Benghazi terrorist attack; and the Marine Corps investigation of Edward Snowden’s theft of classified materials. Jon retired in 2020 as a senior intelligence officer for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. In his civilian career, Jon has managed domestic security policy and budget for the US Department of State, and is a trusted consultant to both the US military as well as African and NATO partners on countering Chinese and Russian activities across Europe, Africa, and Scandinavia. As a retired Marine, Jon was a key player in the veteran-led effort to evacuate thousands of American citizens and verified allies during the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan.
FATHER, HUSBAND, LEADER
Jon is a natural leader, patriot, father, husband, Marine, and conservative. He believes in the equality of opportunity that America provides; American exceptionalism in technology, culture, and leadership; fiscal responsibility; strong national security; individual freedoms enshrined in the constitution; protecting our sovereign borders; and term limits for all public servants. Jon lives with his wife Valerie and son in Stafford, Virginia, where he has resided for 25 years. His daughters both attend Virginia universities. All his children attended public schools. Between his many deployments in service of his country, Jon has been active in both his community and in the Virginia GOP.