John was an executive officer of Bell Canada for 20 years, Chair and President of Telecom Canada, Chair and President of Telesat Mobile Inc. and Linmor Technologies Inc., Chair of Northwesttel and Northern Telephone.

 He has served as Chair of the Ontario Council of Regents, Chair of Algonquin College, Chair of Cape Breton University, served on the board of the Technical University of Nova Scotia, served three terms on the Northumberland Hills Hospital Board and Chair of the Ottawa Carleton Learning Foundation.

John is currently a member of the Cobourg Yacht Club and the Rotary Club of Cobourg.