Born in Sydney, Australia, John came to the US with his mother after the war and grew up near Kansas City, Missouri. He completed a BS in Agriculture in 1969 and DVM in 1970 at Kansas State University. Following graduation, he joined the KSU faculty, taught general pathology, and studied poultry diseases under Dr. Laddie Munger. Subsequently, he joined the KSU team at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Nigeria to help establish a veterinary school in northern Nigeria. He completed his PhD degree at ABU in 1976. His research was on avian spirochetosis, which was second only to Newcastle disease as a cause of mortality in village poultry.

When John returned to the US, he accepted a position at Iowa State University (ISU) where he continued studies in pathology, conducted research on respiratory diseases of turkeys under Dr. Mel Hofstad, and taught poultry diseases. He successfully passed the American College of Veterinary Pathology exams. He accepted an offer in 1982 to continue establishment of the Poultry Medicine program at North Carolina State University. With the help of colleagues, an internationally recognized program was developed. Nearly 100 students and veterinarians have trained in the program and now hold key positions in the poultry industry, government agencies, or academic institutions. Solving health problems in poultry and reproductive pathology of birds have been John’s primary research interests.

John served on several AAAP, AAAP Foundation, ACPV, and AVMA committees. He was elected AAAP President and initiated the change to accept international members. He is a charter member of ACPV. John served on the editorial board of Avian Diseases, and is an author, co-author, editor, or co-editor for numerous publications and books including Diseases of Poultry and Avian Histopathology. He has received several awards including the Phibro Animal Health Excellence in Poultry, Outstanding Extension Service, KSU Alumni Recognition, and North Carolina Poultry Federation Distinguished Service Awards.

John and his wife, Nona, celebrate 55 years together this year. They have two daughters, Valerie and Melissa, and two grandchildren. John is looking forward to retiring later this year so he can spend more time with the family.