Jon's experience began in the Navy where he completed an exciting and diverse 34-year career. During his time he served on 9 different ships, (a research ship, a destroyer, a battleship, a carrier and various repairs ships), two aircraft squadrons, was stationed in many cities on both the east and west coasts and served an overseas tour in Yokosuka, Japan. During his enlisted career he was selected on two different occasions as the "Sailor of the Year" for his unit and senior commands. He completed two wartime tours of duty in Vietnam and served on the last great Battleship, the USS WISCONSIN (BB-64) which patrolled the Persian Gulf during the first Gulf war. When you watched CNN News show pictures of 16-inch guns firing and Tomahawk missile launches - that was his ship, the last Iowa class battleship. He also earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in personnel management at the Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, VA, and has an Associates Degree in Banking, Insurance and Real Estate from Mohawk Valley Community College. Jon began his career as a deck Seaman and retired as a highly decorated and seasoned Naval Commander.Initially he retired in Charleston, SC; however, nurturing a long time love for North Carolina and preferring four seasons he purchased a home in Taylorsville and moved there in February 2003.He is a member of the Catawba Valley Association of Realtors as well as the Carolinas Multiple Listing Service (Charlotte MLS), and for over 9 years a multi-million dollar sales front-runner with Underwood Realty in Hickory. He is also a long time member and VP of the Catawba Valley business Builders Chapter of Business Network International, a Premier Agent with Zillow and the local representative of Market Leader. He is now the owner and Broker in Charge of Underwood Realty in Conover. He is a long time member and past Post Commander of the American Legion and long time member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Treasurer and Honor Guard member of the Taylorsville Disabled American Veterans and a member of the USS Wisconsin Association. Jon has three sons and three grandchildren he is very proud of. He is a keenly experienced bonsai (trees in pots) artist who also enjoys bluegrass music, hunting, travel, history and reading.
