Introducing John Schnatterly

I was able to reach John Schnatterly, and asked him to send me his bio. Mr. Schnatterly needs to get the Republican nomination on January 19, 2013. I understand  a rather new Friends of John Schnatterly page exists on Facebook. I wish him well.

John Schnatterly

Biography

John grew up in suburban Pittsburgh in the 60’s and 70’s, the 5th of seven children in the Schnatterly family. John went to West Allegheny High School where he met his sweetheart and future wife, Cindy. In 1978 John graduated Salutatorian and earned a 4 year Army ROTC scholarship which he took to Penn State. He was active in student government, various Army ROTC organizations, and a couple of honor societies. John and Cindy married in 1979 after Cindy had graduated from Robert Morris University. In 1982 John graduated with Highest Honors with a degree in Urban and Regional Planning and as a Distinguished Military Graduate. The day of graduation he also was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Regular Army.

John was trained as an Aviation Logistician and Helicopter Test Pilot. He served at bases in Virginia, Alabama, Germany, and California. While in Germany he turned around a helicopter maintenance unit that had been failing to one that exceeded all Army standards for readiness and was the highest rated in Germany. While serving in the Army John also worked on his Masters Degree in Business Administration and graduated in 1986 with distinction (Boston University). John received two promotions, up to the rank of Captain, and was poised to be considered for the next promotion when he decided to return to civilian life and pursue a new business career.

John and Cindy had four children while serving in the Army, and their fifth was born their first year in civilian life. The transition was difficult due to a poor job market back in their hometown of Pittsburgh. John worked a number of part-time jobs and received support from his extended family. Eventually John used his experience from one of those part-time jobs – in market research – to begin and grow his own consulting company.

Today John is President of V V G Marketing, a partner in Mega Associates, and a twenty-year contributor and project manager to Echo Strategies (all strategy, marketing, and research firms). He also just recently started a new company, NGV Group, which attempts to take advantage of our abundant natural gas reserves by converting fleet vehicles to run on natural gas.

John is a member of the South Hills Chamber of Commerce, a long-time chairman of their government affairs committee, and a former 2-term President of the Board. John was instrumental in the merger of what were then the Mt Lebanon Chamber and the South Hills Chamber. John served many years as Vice Chair (and still current member) of the Southwestern PA Regional Advocacy Council, a business group that advocates at the state and federal level for reform in legislation that affects businesses. Issues addressed included tort reform, phase out of Capital Stock & Franchise Fee, lowering Corporate Net Income tax, transportation infrastructure, pension reform, and many more.

John has been a member of Firearm Owners Against Crime and People Concerned for the Unborn Child for many years. He was Chairman of the Board of a Pregnancy Care Center for ten years and is still an active supporter. In the early 90’s John co-founded a local public policy organization that eventually became a chapter of a nationwide group to help inform Christians about important public policy issues.

John is a deacon, choir director, Sunday school teacher and occasional lay preacher. John and Cindy’s five children are all grown now. They also quasi- adopted a sixth who came to live with them after leaving a deteriorating home situation. She also is grown and has her own family now in Bethel Park. All but one of their children studied to be teachers and have taught in public, charter and private schools. One daughter is in business. John and Cindy have 2 grandchildren.

John has been an adjunct lecturer on marketing management in the Waynesburg University MBA program and is teaching marketing research at Pitt.

John has worked in campaigns from school board to U.S. President since leaving the Army. He has been a Republic Committeeman for most of that time. In 1994, while living in Dormont, John ran for State Representative in the 27th District against a 12 year incumbent (D) where Republicans had 30 percent voter registration. He ran a vigorous campaign, creating a campaign team in places Republicans had not run in a very long time. A ground game of daily door-to-door, phonebanks, postcards, and public appearances were utilized. John did not win in this challenging district, but gained invaluable experience. In 1996 John ran for an open State Senate seat (37th). This district covered much of the South Hills and part of the West Hills.

John, as usual, spent many days knocking on doors. A lot of those days he spent in Bethel Park with a campaign team of hard workers. John and Cindy were impressed with and enjoyed this community. So a year later, having outgrown their home in Dormont, John and his family moved to Bethel Park. In 1998 John challenged an incumbent who had recently won a special election for the 40th legislative district. This was another aggressive campaign where John raised many important policy issues and gained the attention of Republican leaders.

John is known as a dedicated Republican Committeeman in Bethel Park. He has assisted many candidates in the South Hills, Pennsylvania, and nationally over the years, including his former Republican opponents. In the last year John began writing a blog for fun - and to provoke some serious discussion on public policy (http://john-schnatterly.blogspot.com/ ).

John is a candidate for State Representative in the 42nd District because he is concerned that the American Dream of a better future and greater opportunity will be lost for the next generation. He is committed to the seeing the American Dream live on for his children and grandchildren and that they will have more opportunity than he did.