He was a co-founder and Chairman of First American Securities a full service broker dealer specializing in institutional trading. The brokerage firm traded stocks and other securities for such entities as Lutheran Brotherhood, U.S. Bank, Minneapolis Foundation. The firm also sold rated securities for publicly traded entities and Tribal groups such as the Pascua Yaqui. The business was successfully sold to an insurance firm in 1999.

He was a co-founder and president of First American Capital management Group Inc. an equipment financing business with major account relationships with GM and other fortune 500 companies. The firm conducted a very successful leasing business (over one-half billion dollars in lease originations) on a national basis. The firm grew though a network of twelve employed and contracted sales representatives. The firm serviced all of GM North America from 1995 through 2001 and still retains residual rights to equipment in use.

He has practiced law independently and as of counsel to the Jacobson, Buffalo Law firm in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He has served as an advisory to many Indian Tribes both within Minnesota and Nationally on issues involving business development, management, finance, investment and taxes. He has been a past speaker on business, finance, legal and motivational topics for many organizations.

He has served as an employee for the State of Minnesota where he was responsible for the delivery of state development programs for cities and Tribal groups within the North Central part of the state. As a state employee he developed the state’s tourism loan program. As a federal government employee he oversaw the delivery of the BIA direct and guarantee loan programs for a five state area. He had approval authority for loans up to five million dollars in value and worked with banks of all sizes. He also assisted Tribes with development plans for new initiatives and provided grants in some cases to assist them in the process.

He served three consecutive appointed (four year and part-time) terms as conservation court judge for Leech Lake Reservation.  He testified before the U.S. Congress regarding the need for Tribal Court operations and infra-structure funding.  He served one four year term as appeals court judge for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. 

Education:
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, BA - 1976
University of Minnesota, MBA - 1986
William Mitchell College of Law, JD - 1993 (four year night program)

Business Experience:
1976 Chicago Title Insurance Company
1977 Various Indian Tribal business development organizations
1983 State of Minnesota and Bureau of Indian Affairs, various business development activities.
1989 Shakopee Sioux Community, Coordinator for MysticLake development and other projects.
1991 Co-founder of Two firms involved with providing financial services to fortune 500 companies.
2002 - Present Practicing Attorney and advisory to tribal organizations, boards and individuals on business, tax and management issues

John, enjoys spending time on his pontoon, ice fishing, traveling with his wife and watching the FOX News network.