Meet John Ballenger

John brings a spirit of service and community to every place he’s lived and worked. He spent 20 years as an officer and CH-53E helicopter pilot in the United States Marine Corps, where he had the privilege of seeing the world from a unique perspective. In his final five years of service, he took on one of the highest-stakes roles in aviation as a pilot of Marine One, serving Presidents Trump and Biden. After retiring in October 2022, John and his family planted roots in Colorado Springs, ready to begin an exciting new chapter.

Initially, John became a partner with Aspire Development Group, working on commercial and residential real estate projects in Oklahoma and Colorado. By the end of 2023, he joined Guardian Jet, a premier corporate and private jet brokerage firm, where he now serves as Mountain Regional Sales Director. In this role, John is dedicated to building strong client relationships and expanding Guardian Jet’s presence across the Midwest and Western states, including Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and beyond.

With a deep-rooted passion for service shaped by his military experience alongside people from diverse backgrounds across the country, John has dedicated himself to making a meaningful impact wherever he goes. Driven by a philanthropic spirit, he actively seeks out opportunities to strengthen communities and uplift individuals. Whether he’s engaging audiences through his weekly podcast, sharing his journey through public speaking, or contributing his expertise on various boards, John strives to make a lasting difference. His life experiences—ranging from the profound loss of his daughter to the challenges of multiple combat deployments—infuse his mission with compassion and resilience, inspiring others to improve the world.

John earned his bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Oral Roberts University (ORU) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he now proudly serves on the Alumni Board. Outside of his professional and family life, John is always on the move—whether he’s experimenting in the kitchen, shredding down a mountain on his snowboard, exploring new trails, or jetting off to discover a new corner of the world. A true enthusiast for life, he’s rarely without a new adventure on the horizon.