John, a former oyster farmer in Massachusetts and current shrimp producer in Vermont, has a PhD in marine systems ecology from the University of Maryland and past collaborations with other Sea Grant programs. For Lake Champlain Sea Grant, he provides outreach to Vermont and Lake Champlain basin aquaculture producers, educates the public about sustainable products, and leads an aquaculture association in the basin. He is especially interested in helping producers strategically use grant money to improve their productions.

John owns Sweet Sound Aquaculture, located in Charlotte, Vermont at the former Nordic Farm. He grows Pacific white shrimp and sells 100 pounds to market for Vermont consumers each week.