Jon, a decorated U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has had a remarkable career in the film industry and as a dedicated advocate for authentic military representation in media. After serving multiple tours in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, earning three Navy Achievement Medals and a Combat Action Ribbon, Jon transitioned to a career in Hollywood.
Recognizing the need for veterans to find meaningful opportunities in the entertainment industry, Jon founded GUNMETAL in 2006, the first Hollywood-based corporation dedicated to creating industry jobs for former service members. As a senior military consultant and weapons choreographer, Jon has trained and advised A-list talent, ensuring on-screen authenticity while championing the talents of veteran professionals.
Jon's expertise and commitment to verisimilitude have earned industry accolades, boosted client revenues, and set a new standard for portraying service members in commercial media. Major agencies have relied on his insight to shape powerful, award-winning marketing initiatives.
In 2015, Jon launched Night-Fire Media, broadening his mission to empower fellow veterans. With a vast inventory of historical, modern, and futuristic military props, weapons, and uniforms, Night-Fire Media supports independent filmmakers by granting them access to equipment typically out of reach without major studio budgets.
Jon's commitment to service has extended beyond the entertainment industry. In February 2022, he donated over two million dollars' worth of military gear to the Ukrainian military, redirecting equipment originally destined for movie sets to help real soldiers on the front lines. Jon considers this act of solidarity and service one of his proudest achievements.
Never one to rest on past success, Jon returned to academia at age 46, using his remaining Marine Corps educational benefits to pursue dual graduate degrees. He is on track to complete his MBA and Juris Doctor, with a focus on criminal trial advocacy and entertainment law.
Throughout his Marine Corps career, Jon amassed certifications from more than 27 schools and training courses, including counterterrorism, reconnaissance, mountaineering, and advanced military operations in urban terrain. He was among a select few sergeants to complete the comprehensive "long rifle" range safety officer course, enabling him to run live-fire training at platoon, company, and battalion levels.
A prolific writer, Jon continues to craft screenplays, novels, and episodic series under his writer's alias, including military sci-fi adventures and YA fiction. His guiding principle is simple: aut viam inveniam aut faciam-"I will either find a way or make one."
