Plan to join us to hear Jon speak on "Medicare & You - 2011".
Jon is Chief of Staff for District 5890 and in his real life deals with Medicare everyday and how it effects everyone 65 and over.
As Personal Insurance Agent at Bankers Life & Casualty, Jon
McKinnie specializes in preserving retirement assets, providing Medicare
coverage and supplements, long term care, life and annuities. Previously, Jon served
as Int’l Director of Operations for Safari Knowledge Systems, Ltd and was
instrumental in Safari’s expansion across the US, as well as into the
Australian, United Kingdom and Japanese markets. Degreed in Mathematics at Louisiana Tech
University, Jon started his career as Data Processing Manager for Ford, Bacon
& Davis, a New York based, International engineering firm. Jon’s charge was to computerize the entire
company’s operations, encompassing 40 states and 9 foreign countries. This was Jon’s first experience in the
international market, which has served him well throughout his career.
Jon went on to develop a series of startup companies over
the years. His first, at 25 years old,
was Tri-State Computer Services, which grew to cover operations in 15 states. At 37, Jon started McKinnie & Associates, his
flagship company. McKinnie &
Associates developed software and specialized hardware for betting systems and
back office operations, starting with horse race tracks and later, lottery
systems. Their operations controlled 90%
of the US
racing market including Churchill Downs, the home of the Kentucky Derby, and
30% of the world market, including the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the 2nd
largest racing facility in the world.
International lotteries included the Russian Lottery in Moscow,
the Swedish National Lottery, and lotteries in Macau,
Philippines, Australia, New
Guinea, Kuala Lumpur, Hong
Kong, and Norway. McKinnie & Associates’ growth covered the
globe with operations in 14 countries on 4 continents. As affirmation of Jon’s success, he was
selected “Businessman of the Year” for the State of Louisiana.
Jon’s companies were always recognized as being on the
leading edge of technologies, resulting in his participation in many advisory
positions, including IBM’s Advisory Council and the Louisiana State University
Computer Advisory Council.
Jon served as State Racing Commissioner for the State of Louisiana for 6 years
and on the board of Racing Commissioner International for 5 years. During this period, he was selected
“Outstanding Racing Commissioner of North America”.
In 1999, Jon was named Executive Director of the National
Horse Racing Commission, a national governmental compact, which governed racing
regulations across the nation. During
Jon’s tenure, he established one of the first seamless interfaces to the FBI’s
criminal database, reducing reporting of criminal history from months to
minutes.
During his career, Jon has maintained a community spirit,
active in local, state, and national civic activities, including several
Chambers of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, arts councils, and drug awareness programs.
He served as District Secretary and Assistant District Governor for Little Rock
Rotary District, was selected as “Rotarian of the Year” for District 6150. Transferring to Greater Houston District 5890
in 2005, Jon currently serves as District Chief of Staff and chairs the
Technology & Event Resources Committee. In 2009, Jon was again selected as “Rotarian
of the Year” in District 5890. During
Jon’s term as President and President-Elect, Space Center Rotary Club was
recognized as “Large Club of the Year”, two years in a row.
Jon and his wife, Kay, founded Mothers Against Drugs, one of
the premier drug awareness programs in United States. Mothers Against Drugs has won two
presidential awards, presented by Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton.
Jon’s
recognition includes:
•
“Outstanding
Young Business Leaders to Watch” in America
•
Louisiana’s
“Businessman of the Year”
•
Pew Foundation’s
“Outstanding Racing Commissioner” for North America
•
One of Arkansas’ “Outstanding
Republicans”
•
“Rotarian of the
Year” for Arkansas (2005) & Houston (2009)
•
“Person of the
Year” for Louisiana
Racing Industry
In 2008, Jon was selected to host Rotary International
President DK Lee of South Korea,
on his executive tour of NASA’s Johnson
Space Center
facilities. “To coordinate the
activities for Rotary International President Lee, head of Rotary’s 1.2 million
members, was indeed an honor and a highlight of my civic career”.
Recently, June 28, 2010, was declared Jon R McKinnie Day, by
proclamation by Houston Mayor Annise Parker.
Jon and his wife, Kay, have thee children, four
grandchildren, and one spoiled yellow lab, Daisy.