John Garrett ’63 has built a remarkable career spanning military service, corporate leadership, and entrepreneurial ventures, all rooted in the strong foundation he gained at The Storm King School.

Following his graduation from The Storm King School in 1963, John earned a B.A. degree in Economics from the College of William and Mary in 1967. Upon graduation, he avoided being drafted by proactively joining the U.S. Navy, where he completed Officer Candidate School, Supply Corps School, and Submarine School. Over seven years, he served on two Polaris submarines, USS John Adams and USS James Monroe, as the Supply Officer. Later he served as Inventory Control Officer on the submarine tender USS L.Y. Spear. He also worked at the Office of Supervisor Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. In 1974, he resigned his naval commission as a Lieutenant to embark on a new career by joining Ferguson Enterprises.

John joined Ferguson Enterprises, then a $25 million plumbing distributor, as a sales trainee. His dedication and leadership fueled his rapid rise through the company, taking on roles in outside sales, management, and executive leadership. He served as President and General Manager in Jacksonville, Florida, and Herndon, Virginia, before advancing to Regional Manager, Regional Vice President, and eventually Senior Vice President overseeing logistics and HVAC operations. In 1991, he joined Ferguson’s Board of Directors. By the time of his retirement in 2007, Ferguson had grown into an industry giant, achieving $6 billion in sales.

Since retiring, John has remained highly engaged in business and philanthropic ventures. From 2007 to 2020, he leveraged his Ferguson distribution and leadership experience with several private equity-backed companies, working with AEA Investors, Tailwind Capital, Berkshire Partners, and Audax Partners. He also served as a director for independent companies, including Aurify Brands, Cupron, and Tommie Copper.

In 2020, John joined Everyone’s Earth, a startup dedicated to environmental sustainability, as a director and, in 2024, became its Chairman. In this role, he has been actively involved in securing investments to develop and launch innovative products aimed at reducing plastic consumption and landfill waste. The company, founded by John’s business partner Tom Kallish, introduced Cobi Dryer Sheets, the world’s first 100% cotton, biodegradable dryer sheets designed to replace traditional plastic-based dryer sheets. Looking ahead, Everyone’s Earth plans to launch a 100% cotton, biodegradable diaper and biodegradable baby wipes by year end under the brand name “Change,” with the slogan, “Change Me, Change the World.”

John’s initial excitement about the business stemmed from the financial potential of the biodegradable cotton diaper. As a young parent, he disliked the idea of wrapping his children in plastic diapers, which often caused diaper rash. “As a grandparent, my reaction is the same,” John reflects. “Consequently, I quickly endorsed and engaged with this venture. Once I fully understood the environmental value of what Tom has created, my enthusiasm and commitment deepened.” John quickly shared the vision that the success of this company can have a measurable impact for future generations to come.

Beyond his professional success, John has been an active civic leader, serving on multiple boards, including museums, hospitals, churches, and United Way. He was also a dedicated CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer, demonstrating his deep commitment to community service.

Over the years, John’s connection to The Storm King School remains strong. A standout athlete in his youth, he captained the hockey team and was awarded The Storm King Cup. In 2013, he was inducted into the School’s Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to baseball and soccer. He continues to support the School and has returned to campus to share his insights with students, particularly in AP Economics, where he has offered valuable career and life lessons.

John has been married to Rose G. Gammon since 1968, and together they have raised three children and enjoy the company of their nine grandchildren. Now residing in Newport News, Virginia, his leadership in the development of sustainable, innovative products reflects a deep commitment to preserving the environment for future generations, ensuring that his legacy extends beyond business success to a lasting impact on the planet.