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Northeastern, he was John no longer has family in the area, but still manages to
commissioned in the US visit Houlton once a year to put flowers on the graves of his
Army through the ROTC parents and grandparents. He visits twice if it’s a reunion year.
program. He applied I asked him what activities were at the top of list of things to
yearly for a delay to attend do when visiting the Shiretown.
graduate school. Finally,
in 1970 he was told there “It used to be to have lunch (boneless fried chicken) at the
would be no more delays. Elm Tree and meet with Lynn York ’63 to get caught up on
He didn’t interview for what was going on. Sadly, both are no longer possible. In
any jobs as he prepared to addition to going to the cemetery, we stop by Sadie’s to get a
go into the Army. Several supply of donuts to bring back home.
months later, he received a More recently, he has been doing a series of guest lectures
letter from the government at Northeastern University. During Covid lockdown, he
John’s Senior Photo – 1962 telling him they had too collected some of his life lessons and memoirs in a book called
many officers and they Lessons in Leadership and Life. While not available through
made him an offer-that of the mainstream market, John said he would be happy to share
an extension of the Army Reserve. He went to Jenike and the electronic version of this book with anyone interested.
asked if it was okay for him to stay. He stayed at Jenike until (email:jwcarson@jenike.com). In this book, he chronicles
his retirement. John has presented lectures at professional a life of purpose that is filled with adventure, service, and
conferences all over the world, so I was interested to know tragedy.
what he would list as his proudest professional experience(s).
He tells the story of his election to the Board of Selectmen
“Being able to grow a company from the basement of the in Chelmsford, MA which led to threats on his life. His
founder’s house. We now have 7 offices worldwide. We are adventures continue through the forced departure of the
a leading company in the world that will continue to grow, President of his company that led to him becoming President
long after my retirement.” and continues with the discovery of an employee embezzling

He recalls two teachers from his days at HHS that had a from the company.
significant impact on him. First, was Mrs. Helen Rich, his One of the most moving parts of the book for me was how he
English teacher. He describes her as a “task master”. Although discussed the death of his son. John discusses the lessons he
he didn’t appreciate it at the time, he told me that hearing learned through the grieving process. It is obvious that John
poor English is still a pet peeve of his. Carson views everything in life as an opportunity for learning.
It was Mr. J. Rodney Coffin who piqued his interest in Towards the end of the book, he lists out his life lessons
science. I’m sure Mr. Coffin would be quite proud of his which are outstanding advice for anyone, regardless of what
former student today. I asked John what advice he would give stage you are at in life.
to a high school student considering a career in. engineering. 1. Seek out a mentor

“Take all the math, chemistry and physics classes that are 2. Never settle for second best
available. Consider attending a college or university that has a 3. Find a life partner who shares your goals and
co-op program or offers internships so you can learn what an ambitions
engineer does after graduation.” 4. Work hard, but don’t let work consume you
5. Never stop learning
He also mentioned his band Director, Joe Tufts. John played 6. Live a life that means something
trumpet in the school band and attended the New England
Music camp and was accepted into the All-State band. He John Carson is a gem among Houlton High School alumni.
also played in a band with fellow classmate, and Houlton Despite building a worldwide reputation as one of the finest
musical icon, David McGillicuddy ‘62. engineers today, he has never forgotten where he came from
and has always held on to the values and lessons he learned in
When asked what some of his fondest memories of growing Houlton, Maine.
up in. Houlton were, John had many. “Picking potatoes,
spending summers at East Grand Lake with my grandparents,
braving terrific snowstorms (BUT I can’t recall a single John Carson is a gem among
“snow day” when school was cancelled), attending Boy Scout
campouts, DeMoLay meetings and conclaves, “Rec.” dances, Houlton High School alumni
and riding around the Square.”
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