John is president of Braun Northwest, a family-owned company that has done business since 1986. The firm, which specializes in building emergency vehicles, employs more than 150 workers (motorists traveling just south of Chehalis can see Braun Northwest on the east side of Interstate 5, between the exits to LaBree and Rush roads). He, his wife Marlo and their four children (ages 10 to 19) reside on a small farm in rural Lewis County, outside Centralia.

Prior to his business career John served on active duty in the U.S. Navy; he continues to serve as a commander in the Naval Reserve and is commanding officer of its Deep Submergence Unit in San Diego, California. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Washington and master’s degrees in business administration and manufacturing engineering from the University of Michigan.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Member, Timberland Regional Library Board of Trustees
Member, Providence Centralia Hospital Community Board
Member, Centralia College Foundation Board
Member, Working Group to Build a New Facility for Greater Chehalis Food Bank and the Lewis County Food Bank Coalition
Former Member, Enterprise Washington Board of Directors
Former Member, National Association of Manufacturers President’s Council
Former Member, St. Joseph School Commission
Former Member, Centralia Youth Soccer Board