ABOUT
John M. Harris
Command Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) · Founder, John Harris LLC
Serving those who serve — for four decades
John Harris grew up in Peoria, Illinois, and enlisted in the Illinois Air National Guard in January 1984. He spent 22 years as a Tactical Air Command and Control Specialist — 19 of them as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller — supporting exercises in Germany, South Korea and Honduras, and serving with U.S. Army Special Forces in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2003.
In January 2006 he was appointed the third State Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Louisiana Air National Guard — the highest enlisted leadership position in the state — advising The Adjutant General on the welfare, readiness, morale and progress of the enlisted force. He retired on April 1, 2010.
After retirement, John turned his focus to the associations that support Guard members and their families. He was elected an Area Director of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS), served as Executive Director of the Louisiana National Guard Enlisted Association, became Insurance Administrator for the Louisiana National Guard State Sponsored Life Insurance Program in 2013, and was elected President of EANGUS in 2014. He also worked as a regional director for Grantham University.
Through John Harris LLC, he brings that experience to associations and military non-profits — helping them raise funds, run events, build partnerships, strengthen governance and keep their books in order.
Association Leadership
- President, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (elected 2014)
- Area Director, EANGUS (2010)
- Executive Director, Louisiana National Guard Enlisted Association
- Insurance Administrator, Louisiana National Guard State Sponsored Life Insurance Program (2013)
Education
- Master’s Degree in Project Management (2010)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (2008)
- Associate’s Degree, Community College of the Air Force (2008)
- A.S., Information Systems Technology (2007)
- A.S., Business Administration, Belleville Area College (1989)
- Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course and Senior NCO Academy
Major Awards
- Bronze Star
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters
- Army Achievement Medal
- The Louisiana Cross of Merit
- The Louisiana War Cross
Service Highlights
- Joint Terminal Attack Controller, Jalalabad and Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan (2003)
- Chief Tactical Air Controller Instructor, Camp Beauregard, Louisiana (2004–2006)
- Emergency Operations Liaison, Cameron Parish, Louisiana (2005–2006)
- Communications support for Hurricanes Andrew, Lili, Isidore, Ivan, Katrina, Rita, Wilma and Cindy
- Humanitarian support, Hurricane Mitch, Joint Task Force Aguan, Honduras (1999)
- Airman of the Year, Senior NCO Category (1995 and 1999); Distinguished Graduate, NCO Academy (1991)