After film school at the University of Texas at Austin, a job in L.A. promoting foreign films, and a stint as a freelance TV/film location manager, John returned to his hometown of Jackson. He worked for the Mississippi Film Office before co-founding Gibson Creative, where he wrote and produced corporate-industrial videos, commercials, documentaries, as well as several projects for Mississippi Public Broadcasting, including the nationally-syndicated series Right from Birth. John joined us in 2007, just in time to serve as a producer for the PBS children’s series Lomax: The Hound of Music.

What is your hometown?

Jackson – specifically Fondren. That’s the neighborhood where I grew up, and after trying out some other cities, that’s where I landed again.

Share a bit about your family.

My wife Ginny is a nurse practitioner, a free spirit, an outdoors woman and a very creative cook. Gracie, my 17-year old, is a high school senior who loves art, Latin and is a really cool person. My 24-year old, Conner, lives in London where she is an aspiring actor and video producer. Our four-legged family members are Lily, a sweet but sometimes moody beagle, and Franny, an extremely hyperactive rat terrier.

What are your hobbies? What’s your passion?

Running, reading about things I don’t know about, watching favorite movies obsessively, making up stories.

How did you hear about Mad Genius?

I came on-board in 2007, back when the video production wing was Eyevox. I’d known Rick forever, had competed against him, and finally saw the wisdom of “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”

Tell us about your first day at Mad Genius.

I knew when I took the job that we would soon start shooting a PBS children’s series called “Lomax, the Hound of Music.” My first day? It was a nice surprise. I learned I was one of the producers.

What’s your greatest accomplishment (or what have you enjoyed most) at Mad Genius?

At MadG, I’ve enjoyed getting to know some very decent and very talented people. Work-wise, I’ve enjoyed developing strong relationships with clients who then become repeat clients. Best production experience? Lomax, and whatever our next one is.

What Genius memory(ies) stand out?

On numerous occasions, working on shoots where every member of the crew was in such perfect sync with the others – each thoroughly professional, respectful, and calm when facing challenges – that the work day became pure pleasure. Those days help me remember why I got into this stuff.

What’s your most NON-Genius moment at Mad Genius?

Those other shoots, but let’s don’t go there.

What is the one thing no one really knows about you?

Telling would defeat the point, now wouldn’t it?

Of all the world’s geniuses, whom do you most admire?

German director Wim Wenders.