A 1972 graduate of Marblehead High School, he went on to receive a B.A. in Government from Bates College and a Masters Degree in Political Science from Yale University.

He served as a visiting instructor at both the University of Michigan Ann Arbor and Wesleyan University.

He also was the Director of Institution Research from 1991-2000.

John then served as Associate Director of Research for the CT Department of Higher Education until his retirement.