ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John
is a multi-talented, award-winning graphic designer, author, ministry
director and world champion. One of six kids, John grew up in Virginia
Beach, and after years away, now makes it his home. A 1980 graduate from
Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Communications Arts and
Design, John went on to graduate studies at George Washington University,
in Washington, DC.
After stints as Art Director at several DC area ad agencies, including Stackig,
Sanderson & White, John founded Koehler Studios, Inc., in 1993. Now Koehler
Nelson Studios, they have won 18 gold and silver Addy Awards and
the Silver Medal Healthcare Advertising Award. John is a past president of the
Hampton Roads Ad Club and is involved with various volunteer groups and activities,
including pro bono work for a number of charitable organizations.
In 2005 John turned his passion into his profession by accepting a position as
the Hampton Roads Area Director for Young
Life Capernaum, a ministry dedicated
to helping children with disabilities. John published Bipolar
by Koehler in 2005, and now tours around Virginia giving talks about
living with mental illness.
Perhaps his best known accomplishment was winning the 1991 Boomerang World Championship
in Perth, Australia. John milks this relentlessly and gives away signed boomerangs
like candy. He was also a member of the Foster's Boomerang 2000 Team, a touring
demo team that taught the NFL, MLB and others the gospel of boomerangs.
John is also a proud member of the Bürpenfärtzen Brothers, a group
of seven friends who have held a yearly Oktoberfest party, complete with beer,
brats, band and tons of fun at John's house, with up to 800 attending. He is
also a member of The Noblemen, a philanthropic group of men that throw parties,
raise mounds of money and give it away to kids and people in need.
Married since 1982 to his college sweetheart, Patty, an art teacher at Old Donation Center for the Gifted and Talented, John is the proud father of Kim and Danielle. Both are honor roll students and excellent artists.
Professional Service
- 2001 Board Member of Tidewater Society of Communicating Art
- 1996-2000 Board Member of Hampton Roads Ad Club
- 1999 President of Hampton Roads Ad Club
- 1998-2000 Va. Beach Vo. Tech., Advertising Design Advisory Council
- 1997-1999 Gifted Arts Advisory Board
Boomerang Awards & Service
- 2002 Coach of World Champion US Boomerang Team
- 1998-2000 Captain of Fosters Beer Boomerang Team
- 1994 Produced Boomerang Championships for low income kids with Cox Channel 11
- 1991 Boomerang World Champ
- 1989 Team World Champs- USA
- 1987 World Record Holder- Boomerang Endurance
- 1986-present: have taught THOUSANDS of kids and people how to throw boomerangs.
Community Service
- 2005-Co-designed and built Munden Point Disc Golf Course
- 2004-present: founding member of Disc Golfers for Christ. Building new golf course in Virginia Beach
- 2002-present: member of The Noblemen of Virginia Beach, fundraising group for community children
- 1996-present: founding member of Bürpenfärtzen Brothers, community fundraising Oktoberfest party
- 1999 Community Ambassador Award from City of Virginia Beach for hosting boomerang Nationals
- 1994-present: Mayor of 60th Street. Hey, the people gave me the title!
Ministry
- 2004-present- Volunteer and Area Director for Young Life Capernaum, helping children with disabilities
- Member of Galilee Episcopal Church and Spring Branch Church