Jon has embraced leadership roles starting in high school and throughout his adult life. He enrolled in Dickinson College after graduating from high school in New York. The wave of national pride during Ronald Reagan’s presidency inspired Jon to join the Army ROTC program.  He discovered his passion for service and politics while at Dickinson, where he hosted a political commentary radio show and was active in the College Republicans. Jon later transferred to Boston University (BU), where he organized students to become active members of the college community. Graduating in 1989 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, Jon was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Jon then moved to Washington, D.C. to earn his Master’s Degree in International Studies at American University. During this time, he became a member of the Democratic Party and began his service in the Military Police Reserves. Jon served as a company training officer in the 220th MP Brigade HHC, headquartered in Gaithersburg, Maryland.