John was educated in Ontario and New Brunswick. As a management accountant, he held the FCMA designation, becoming a member of the CPA when various accounting associations merged in 2014.

He held positions, such as secretary-treasurer, for several Maritime businesses over the years including Seven Up Sussex in Saint John, NB, and C.M. McLean in PEI.

He was also comptroller of UNB from 1980 to 1996.

In addition, John was active in many business and professional associations, including the Society of Management Accountants, where he served as national president from 1976 to 1977.

He was also chair of the Pine Grove Nursing Home from 2003 to 2004.