Service. It’s always been more than a word to
John Montgomery.
After graduating from public high school, John earned an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. While a cadet at West Point, John met Carole, his future wife, and they were married shortly after his graduation and commission.
John spent five years on active duty as an Airborne Ranger – leading men, learning from those he led and who led him, and preparing for any challenge that could arise.
John left active duty to attend law school in 1990, but was asked to return to service during Operation Desert Shield. Putting law school on hold, he joined the National Guard a week before his unit was activated to serve with the 5th Infantry Division. Once activated, John served as a Company Commander of an anti-tank unit, preparing young men for deployment to the Persian Gulf.
At the conclusion of hostilities, John remained commanding officer of the company and later served as an Inspector General for the state National Guard.
While serving as Inspector General, John was assigned to temporary duty at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. While there John and Carole fell in love with Virginia and knew it was where they wanted to raise their family.
After John’s graduation from law school, he and Carole settled in Virginia where John began practicing law and Carole continued her work as a nurse.
John established his own law firm in 1998 and today represents clients throughout Virginia. As an attorney John has continued to serve his community – whether it’s fighting for Virginia’s citizens, holding corporations accountable, or striving to improve the care provided in nursing homes.
A life-long outdoorsman and conservationist, John was appointed by Governor Mark Warner to the Board of Directors for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in 2003. He has utilized his membership on the board to protect the rights of Virginia sportsmen, as well as our diverse Virginia wildlife and our environment. John also continues to serve the Kaine administration as Chairman of the DGIF Board of Directors.
Governors Warner and Kaine recognized John's leadership by asking him to serve their administrations as a military advisor.
John knows there are no shortcuts to success. The military, and every other leadership role, has taught him that success comes only from hard work and dedication. That’s the experience he’ll take with him as a member of the Henrico County School Board.
John, his wife Carole, and their sons, Jack (11) and Travis (4), live in Sandston, Virginia. Jack has attended Seven Pines Elementary and Ward Elementary. Both Carole and John have held various positions in PTA, including John's service as the PTA President. They attend Sandston Presbyterian Church and serve with various other groups and associations in their community.
My wife and I have seen the positive effect of good teachers and administrators on the education of our fifth-grade son."