Meet John
John’s life has been defined by service, hard work, and commitment to community. Born in Watertown, New York, he moved with his family to Barre, Vermont, in 1965 and graduated from Marian High School in 1972. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Norwich University.
John proudly served his country for more than 16 years in the U.S. Army, including 9½ years on Active Duty and 7 years in the Active Reserves. During his time in the Reserves, he also worked with the State Emergency Management Department, helping communities prepare for and respond to emergencies. He retired from military service with an honorable discharge at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
After his military career, John spent 12 years farming his mother-in-law’s farm, raising small grains including wheat, durum, and barley, while also caring for sheep and chickens. His experience in agriculture gave him a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing rural communities and family farms.
John also worked 15 years in retail and dedicated 12 years as a Certified Nursing Assistant, caring for others with compassion and respect before retiring.
In 1983, John married Darlene Hensrud, and together they built a life grounded in family, service, and community values. Today, John brings decades of leadership experience, practical problem-solving, and a deep commitment to working people to his campaign for public office.
