
John Nonnemaker
Executive Director
Veterans Without Orders
2025 Ripple of Kindness Winner
Lieutenant Colonel (R) John Nonnemaker retired from the U.S. Army after 26 years of distinguished service, with the majority of his career spent as a Civil Affairs Officer. Throughout his military tenure, he served in key roles supporting Special Operations, Civil-Military Operations, Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Response, and Interagency Coordination. His experience spans complex, high-impact operations that bridged military objectives with humanitarian needs in some of the most challenging environments.
In addition to his military service, John is actively involved with the United Nations, where he contributes to international initiatives focused on humanitarian aid, sustainable development, and global peacekeeping efforts. His work with the UN further underscores his commitment to addressing global challenges and fostering collaborative solutions.
John currently serves as the Executive Director of Veterans Without Orders, an organization he co-founded dedicated to tackling the global water crisis. Under his leadership, the organization has made significant progress in providing sustainable water solutions to communities in need.
John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Southwestern University (2002) and a Master’s in Emergency Management from Lynn University (2011). His academic background and diverse field experience have shaped him into a leader equipped to address complex global issues with strategic foresight.
Outside of his professional work, John is an active volunteer with Rotary International, contributing to global service initiatives. He also enjoys spending time with his wife Amanda and their four children.