Biography
Jon is an entrepreneur, management consultant, and executive coach with a varied, somewhat unusual history. Jon’s career as a management consultant accelerated when he founded Line of Sight, a firm focused on working with clients to improve their success through better project management, process improvement and managing organizational change. His clients ranged from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies, as well as local, state, and federal government organizations.
Along the way he authored two books and scads of articles on topics including project management, leadership, strategic planning, and organizational change. He hit the speaking circuit around the US, South Africa, and Europe, where he learned at a conference in Italy that jokes don’t work well when translated.
Feeling like something was missing in his work life, he decided to run for public office, ultimately winning a seat on the Howard Count Council where he served four years. He represented Ellicott City during the two historic floods in 2016 and 2018.
After selling Line of Sight and completing his term on the Howard County Council, Jon was asked to join the Maryland Department of Health’s executive team providing leadership and guidance for transformative projects in the organization. About a year and half into his tenure at MDH, Jon felt like it had been too long since he was involved with an historic natural disaster, so was ready to join the fight against COVID-19, first leading MDH’s transition to a “virtual” organization, then taking on the statewide testing program, and ultimately leading the government’s statewide response. In 2022, Jon launched Propositum to provide strategic advisory, consulting, and coaching services to organizations doing good in the work.
Jon graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor’s in International Relations and American University with a Master’s in International Affairs. He served as an officer in the Army Reserves, commission from the ROTC. Most importantly, Jon lives in Baltimore with his wife, Margaret, and their two dogs, Shea and Spike. Zach and Asher, Jon’s two sons, live in California and New Mexico, where they are engaged in work to improve their communities and serve others.
Jon is excited to be a part of the team at the Sellinger School of Business and the Simon Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, working to engage and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs and community leaders.
Academic Degrees
MA, The American University
BA, Boston University"
Representative Publications
The Government Manager’s Guide to Project Management, Management Concepts Inc., August 2013 with Tim Jaques.
Achieving Project Management Success in the Federal Government, Management Concepts Inc., March 2010 with Tim Jaques.
“The Future of Project Management in State Governments,” in Project Management Circa 2025, Project Management Institute Press, October 2009 with Tim Jaques.
“Strategies and Results in the Design and Implementation of Project Management Programs in State Government,” in Project Manager’s Handbook: Applying Best Practices Across Global Industries, McGraw-Hill, September 2007 with Tim Jaques.
Professional Experience/Certification
Entrepreneur/Business Owner (2005-2017, 2021-Present)
Management Consultant/Executive Coach (1991-Present
Elected Member, Howard County (MD) Council (2014-18)
Project Management Professional, PMI Certified (2004)