John was born July 24th 1947 to Michael and Theresa Smigelsky, née Homyock in Linden, New Jersey.

He attended Tarkio College in Missouri and graduated with a degree in teaching. He later received his Masters Degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1972. John taught in the Omaha Public Schools for 6 ½ years before becoming a principal in the Fort Calhoun Schools.

On May 31st 1975 John married Janice Vavricek.

In 1981 John joined Kirkpatrick Pettis as an Investment Consultant.

John and Jan’s daughter Meagan was born March 19th 1983.

Their second daughter Melissa was born November 11th 1985.

In 1996, Kirkpatrick Pettis appointed him Senior Vice President. He continued to serve in this capacity until its merger with Smith Hayes Financial Services in June of 2002. He continues to serve in this same capacity with Smith Hayes.

John is currently on the Board of Directors for the Nebraska Choral Arts Society which both of his daughters have been participants. In his spare time, John enjoys golfing, fishing, and traveling.