John was born in Montgomery, Alabama and later moved to Springfield, Virginia. He was first elected to office in 1998 as City Council Member for the City of Chesapeake and served as Vice Mayor from 2000-01. In 2001 he was elected to the Virginia General Assembly.

John attended Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music to study his love of music. This also happens to be where he met his wife, Sue. He later continued his education and graduated from Tidewater Community College in 1983 and in 1985 graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology.

John served in the United States Navy as an Aerospace Engineering Officer / Maintenance Officer station with F-14 Squadron VF-202, Helicopter Combat Support Special Squadron Four (HCS-4), and Naval Air Systems Command Units.

Since being elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2001, John has demonstrated strong commitment to his constituents. He continues that tradition by placing a high priority on making Chesapeake a better place to live, work, and raise a family. He continually works with federal, state, and local agencies to ensure that Chesapeake and the Commonwealth of Virginia remain terrific places to make a home.