John Raymond McKinnis, II is a candidate for Montgomery County Council for the 4th district of Maryland, which is located in Montgomery County, MD. John is the founder and owner of a successful information technology (IT) business, Light Integrations, LLC, in Beltsville, MD and is also a partner in Cutting Edge IT Solutions, LLC (www.ceitsolutions.com). Born and raised in a low-income union family in Flint, Michigan, John has worked hard for himself and his family. John understands the principles of hard work, perseverance, and service.
Growing up next door to automotive manufacturing plants with his family as union members, John learned the important relationship between labor and management. John learned his work ethic from his family, who helped shape his work philosophies and personal resolve.
After graduating from high school, John served as an international relief volunteer and leader, traveling extensively overseas, participating in education, and international cultural exchange programs in countries in Central America, South America, and Asia. John’s experience taught him the importance of diversity and international relations. John believes that America, a wealthy nation, needs to be a stabilizing factor and should take under her wing less fortunate individuals, in foreign countries and the U.S., and empower them to develop and flourish. John is honored to have served overseas and hopes to travel to Niger, Africa soon.
John attended college in Oklahoma where he met his wife, Faith, a native Marylander and public school teacher in Burtonsville. After two years John and Faith moved back to Maryland to complete college. John founded his IT business, Light Integrations, while raising his family and studying. Through his hard work and discipline, John brought his family from poverty into a higher standard of life. John understands the needs of low-income families and individuals and believes in empowering them to improve their lives for themselves and their families.
John’s business taught him the value of relationships, integrity, and hard work. John’s company, Light Integrations, specializes in IT solutions for small to medium-sized businesses with clients from coast to coast. The valuable experience of being a business leader and helping other small businesses succeed has helped shape John’s business success and personal character. John is thankful for his success and the empowerment it has given him.
John has always believed in giving back to the community. As a volunteer and community activist, John has been involved with many activities including Christmas in April, where he renovated low-income housing in Prince George's County, the ABC Community Outreach program, and volunteering for his church.
As a candidate for the 4th Councilmanic District of Maryland, John wants to see the 4th District and its residents be strengthened and empowered to grow into a strong economic suburb of Washington.
When elected representative, John will work to:
- improve education for children, teachers, and parents;
- reduce crime, which is now at a 10 year high
- empower business and community relationships to create economic growth;
- propose innovative solutions to control skyrocketing energy costs;
- strengthen criminal laws that protect our communities and deter criminal behavior;
- improve roads and transportation for the district.
John lives in Silver Spring with his wife Faith and their children, Austin, Andrew, Kayleigh, and J. Alastair.
