John has been a lawyer in private practice from 1974 to 1999 where he was a partner in a seven-lawyer Newmarket law firm, McChesney Rogers. From 1999 onwards, John has been involved in the municipal sector with the Towns of Newmarket, East Gwillimbury and Aurora – first as a lawyer and then as Chief Administrative Officer in East Gwillimbury and Aurora, respectively.

John is active in his community, including election to the Town of Georgina Council four times, first as a Ward Councillor for two terms and then as Mayor for two terms. John has also been President of the York Region Law Association, Chair of the York Region District Health Council, York Region Abuse Program, and more recently, Chair of the United Way of York Region and Co-Chair of the Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIIN) Diversity and Inclusivity Advisory Group and then a Director of the Central LHIN. John is currently on the Board of York Region Children’s Aid Society, a Director of Haliburton Places For People, member of the Town of Georgina and Township of Algonquin Highlands Committees of Adjustment and lay assistant and Treasurer of St. Peter’s Maple Lake Anglican Church. Prior to his retirement John was active in a number of professional associations.