John’s background combines the functional expertise of marketing and brand management from Procter & Gamble and Kellogg’s along with 30 years of experience in global supply chain and logistics in the U.S. Air Force and private industry. He has served as a CEO for two different Private Equity Firms for middle and lower-middle market companies.

He also is a Brigadier General (one-star) in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, serving as the Senior Reservist (Mobilization Assistant) to the Air Force Chief of Staff at the Pentagon.

He is a Member of the Board of Directors for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES “the Exchange”​), which is the nation’s 56th largest retailer.

He started his career as a marketing executive at Procter & Gamble and Kellogg’s. He’s managed $400 million in annual P&L responsibility with broad portfolio management of leading brands such as Nutri-Grain, Rice Krispies Treats, and Special-K bars. In addition to executive roles in the Fortune 100 and startups, he has served as a strategy consultant for many clients.

He has an MBA in Marketing from Chaminade University in Honolulu, and an MA in Economics from the University of Oklahoma. His undergraduate degree is from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He’s an Eagle Scout and his hobbies include politics, foreign languages and travel. He is also a PADI Divemaster.

He is married to Michelle Tree, and they have 5 children. It is the second marriage for both of them. Tragically, his oldest daughter from his first marriage, Stephanie Tree, died from an accidental drug overdose in August, 2011.