John grew up in the Grand Ledge Michigan area and received his BS in geology from Central Michigan University in 1984. He started out his career in 1984 as a geologist with Aangstrom Precision Corporation. He led a geophysical survey crew for one year and later worked as a “computer geologist” mapping the structure and isopach maps of every Paleozoic formation in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. John constructed the first ever comprehensive glacial drift isopach and bedrock topography maps of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan as well as assisting in mapping the major faults in the basin. In 1990, John left the oil patch and took a job with the DNR (later DEQ/EGLE) conducting hydrogeologic investigations at contamination sites across the state. From 1998-2006 he worked as a project geologist (geodog) on 12 Superfund sites in Michigan. From 2006-2024 he worked with the EGLE Office of Geological Survey/Oil, Gas & Minerals Division and from 2010-2024 worked as contract geologic mapper for the Michigan Geological Survey mapping the surficial geology of numerous 7.5 minute quads in Michigan. John Currently works for the MGS.

John’s interests include studying the bedrock surface and structural geology of the Michigan Basin, use of unconventional geophysical techniques, groundwater surface water interactions, and the use of GIS and 3D visualization techniques to help understand subsurface geology. He chaired the EGLE GIS Committee for 18 years and Tri-chaired the EGLE Groundwater Technical Team for 3 years. He has been a volunteer with Lifewater International in which he trains people overseas in groundwater exploration, shallow well drilling and hand pump repair.