New Hampshire Native

Early Days at the State House: A young John Stephen visits Governor Mel Thomson in his office in Concord
with his father, Bobby Stephen.

John Stephen was born and raised in Manchester, New Hampshire.  From an early age, his parents and grandparents instilled in him a strong work ethic, deep sense of community and an intense appreciation for New Hampshire values.  They stressed small town values like the importance of being a good citizen and caring for your neighbors – regardless of their politics.

John’s dad, Bobby Stephen, a registered Democrat and the Chairman of the New Hampshire Boxing and Wrestling Commission, on occasion would take young John along when he visited Republican Governor Mel Thomson in his office in Concord.

Words of wisdom and encouragement spoke from the walls there: “I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man – An American Creed”, “Don’t give up the Ship” and of course, the principle for which Governor Thomson will be forever remembered: “Low Taxes are the Result of Low Spending.”

Experiencing these cordial visits between Democrat and Republican and later quietly observing from the state Senate gallery as his father cast his votes against tax increases would provide early inspiration for John.  It was during this time he began to develop his deep sense of pride in the unique traditions of New Hampshire’s “So Their Voices Can Be Heard” style of government.

John and family celebrates at The Vault on his brother Chuck’s return from Marine Boot Camp.

Small Business Appreciation

As a young man growing up in the Queen City, John and his two younger brothers worked alongside their mother and father in the family owned restaurant, “The Vault”, a popular and now fondly remembered meeting place for would be Presidents, New Hampshire natives and tourists from across America.

It was while he worked at the restaurant during his teenage years that John developed his appreciation and very real understanding of the hard work and dedication required of the small business owner.  As he grew up in the business, John would also experience, first-hand, the impact excessive government regulation and burdensome taxation would have on his family’s small restaurant business.

John’s interest in government developed when his father first ran for the state Senate. His father had become frustrated by rampant tax increases handed down from Concord and excessive regulations being imposed on small businesses.  He wanted to serve to fight for smaller government and lower taxes and so he ran against the odds defeating a very popular 24-year incumbent.

A New Hampshire Education, Studying Law and an Early Public Servant

John Stephen appointed Assistant Attorney General by Governor Judd Gregg.

John was educated in the Manchester public schools through his elementary and junior high years after which he attended parochial school at Trinity High. After graduating from Trinity High School in Manchester, John earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire, and went on to graduate with honors from the Detroit College of Law and where he served as managing editor of the Law Review.

He returned home to New Hampshire where he would devote his professional career to making a difference in the community and state in which he was raised.  He began his career as a Law Clerk for Federal District Court Judge Martin F. Loughlin.

After completing the clerkship, he served for a number of years as Assistant Hillsborough County Attorney prosecuting numerous misdemeanor and felony crimes including serious crimes, such as first degree assault, robbery, arson and crimes against children.  John was also was the prosecutor of record in a child pornography case where the defendant received the longest prison sentence on record at the time.

In 1992, John was appointed by Governor Judd Gregg to serve as Assistant Attorney General.  In that capacity, John prosecuted homicide crimes and regularly appeared before the New Hampshire Supreme Court on appellate issues involving criminal law.

He was the Director of the DWI Unit and was responsible for the state-wide supervision of DWI-related cases. He successfully prosecuted a former President of Keene State College for DWI motor vehicle homicide.

John went on to serve as the Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Safety, in that capacity, was appointed by Commissioner Richard Flynn to be the State’s first Coordinator of Homeland Security in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

In 2003, John became the Commissioner of the State’s largest Department: Health and Human Services.    Here John oversaw a budget which takes nearly one half of the State’s budget expenses.  John brought fiscal discipline to the Department and returned money every year to the taxpayers of New Hampshire, rolling up savings of $143 million over his 4-year tenure.

Under his direction, the department instituted a health care reform program that focused Medicaid on prevention, wellness and rebalancing long term care for seniors. Through John’s efforts, more seniors were able to stay at home, with family nearby, rather than be placed in more expensive nursing homes.

John also designed the State’s first quality rating program for child care programs, so working parents could identify top centers for their children’s care.   During each of his four years, New Hampshire ranked first nationally in the Kids Count survey.

John also led efforts to transform welfare in New Hampshire, reducing the rolls by 20% and dramatically increasing work participation rates by bringing accountability to the welfare program. 

Private Sector Experience and Consulting for Other States

The Stephen Family, John and Jenny,
daughters Nicole and Hannah.

Most recently, John served as a Partner at The Lucas Group, a Boston based corporate strategy and government solutions consulting firm dedicated to helping clients achieve significant improvements in program efficiency and revenue growth.  John assisted corporate clients at The Lucas Group, conducting due diligence in the area of health care-related mergers or acquisitions and offering strategies for value-based growth.

John also worked in the firm’s government practice where he advised Governors and state department heads on program changes that result in greater efficiencies, fiscal responsibility and public/private partnerships.

John worked with the Rhode Island Governor where his work will result in savings of millions of dollars over five years.   John also drafted a report for Illinois Governor Pat Quinn’s taxpayer action board, recommending over $2 billion dollars in health care-related savings over a 5-year period.  Earlier this year he assisted South Carolina in re-organizing the state agency responsible for putting people back to work, and led efforts to identify over $1.2 billion dollars in savings for the state unemployment insurance system, while offering a plan to cut taxes for small businesses.

Author, Advisor and Instructor

John announces safety program
with law enforcement Chiefs.

In addition to his experience consulting with state agencies, John has been involved in the recent national health care debate and he has written extensively on the impact of unfunded mandates on state governments.

John was an advisor to the staff of United States Senator John Cornyn on many aspects of the health care bill, and has also appeared at a number of town hall forums and public meetings to discuss the overall impact of the legislation.

John has also written six books on various law enforcement topics, has been an instructor at the Police Academy and has lectured throughout the country on various law enforcement topics.

Serving as a guest lecturer at Babson College in Massachusetts, John teaches students entrepreneurial management skills and how to make government more efficient through innovative market based solutions.

A Heart for Community

In his community, John has served as President of Makin’ It Happen, a Manchester youth-based organization.  He has also served as President and Board Member of the Parish Council for Our Lady of the Cedars Church.  He was past Chairman and Founder of the Fight to Educate, an annual fundraising event to raise money for local charities.

He serves on the Board of Directors of the Hundred Club, which raises money for the families of fallen firefighters, police officers and emergency workers.  He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Veterans Count Club at Easter Seals, a group dedicated to raising funds for emergency assistance to veterans and families of veterans who are serving our country.

Family Man, Coach and Hockey Dad

John and his wife of 16 years, Jenny, live in Manchester.  Jenny works with high school students helping them focus on building their future careers.  Jenny is also a homemaker and mother to their two daughters, Nicole, age 14 and Hannah, age 13.  John enjoys being actively involved in his daughters’ activities, helping them with homework and their sports competitions.

For a number of years, John has coached both Hannah and Nicole’s softball teams.   During the hockey season, John calls himself a “Hockey Dad” as he and Jenny travel throughout New England to watch Hannah’s hockey games.