Innovations for wounded/disabled Veterans

Jon Monett

Jon Monett casts his life into four distinct phases: “First I was a student, then a Cold War warrior, then an entrepreneur, and now,” he says, “I see myself as an investor in technical challenges and in people.”

Jon’s most recent investment is in Cal Poly. The 1964 industrial engineering alumnus donated $500,000 to Cal Poly Engineering to found the Quality of Life Plus Laboratory (QL+), a multidisciplinary facility dedicated to the development and application of technology to improve the quality of life of wounded and disabled veterans. 

A veteran himself, Jon joined the Air Force after high school and served four years in reconnaissance work before entering Cal Poly. Following his graduation, Jon worked in developing the tools and techniques for the collection of intelligence for the Central Intelligence Agency, a career that spanned 26 years. At retirement, Jon had risen to the position of Senior Executive responsible for managing technical activity worldwide.

On his return to civilian life, Jon started a company that became known as Telemus Solutions, a global security consulting and intelligence advisory services provider.

“When I sold Telemus, I started to think about ways to acknowledge the role Cal Poly played in my life and to show my appreciation for the men and women who, in the course of serving their country, have been wounded or disabled,” he says.

QL+ is the outcome of Jon’s wish to pay back, while investing forward to produce solutions that enhance the ability of individuals to reach their potential, despite traumatic injuries incurred in service to their country.

“I see QL+ as becoming an important center where not only regular students but also military veterans will get involved in developing meaningful products and techniques to improve lives,” he explains. “The lab is needed because companies tend to focus on products with high commercial potential, but often the issues affecting vets have less commercial application.

“I want Cal Poly students—who are so good at solving problems—to be given challenges that will exercise their creativity and innovation, resulting in solutions that will benefit those who have served our country.