John Jacquemin, President, CEO and founder of Mooring Financial Corporation, has received the top award in the Financial Services/Real Estate category from Ernst & Young in its 2006 Greater Washington Entrepreneur Awards. Jacquemin lives in McLean, and his business is headquartered in Vienna. Mooring Financial Corporation has grown to one of the top three tax lien purchasers in the U.S. Jacquemin is also very involved in the community. He works with Langley High School students on the Nomadic Kenyan Children's Education Fund, and is involved in two Habitat for Humanity Build Days this year. Jacquemin also has sponsorship of the upcoming Reston Triathlon.
Number of years in the community. 23 years, of which the last 12 were in McLean.
Family. Wife, Tracie; Children, Juliana, 15, Olivia, 14, and Marissa, 8.
Education. Pennsylvania State University, B.A. general arts & sciences; MBA Dartmouth College, Tuck School of Business Administration.
Current job/primary occupation. Financial Services Entrepreneur, President/CEO; founder of Mooring Financial Corporation.
Achievements. Building a successful financial services company, and using that success to give back to the community.
Activities/interests/hobbies. Sailing (cruising and racing); triathlete –– compete annually in Reston Triathlon; horses –– regular riding trips with family, and daughters ride in hunter/jumper competitions; extensive travel abroad; philanthropy –– established the Jacquemin Family Foundation in 1996, which provides grants to charitable organizations with emphasis on providing educational and artistic opportunities to underserved children.
Favorite local restaurant or place in the community. Capital Grille.
What are your community concerns? What are some ideas you have on ways to improve them? Traffic congestion. I'm very pleased to be living in a county that provides efficient services and so many amenities to its residents. Let's keep delivering, recognizing the changing needs of a changing demographic profile.
What brought you here? Starting my own company in 1982 gave me the freedom to relocate, so I chose the DC area as a more interesting place to live than Reading, Pa. Okay, so this area was also overflowing with single professional women, and I married a great one!
What community "hidden treasure" do you think more people should know about? The Barns at Wolf Trap. The Barns are Wolftrap's lesser know winter venue, featuring great performers in an intimate (350 seats) and warm setting.
When you were younger, what did you want to be when you "grew up?" An oceanographer a la Jacques Cousteau. Then I decided that a business career was a better way to build financial freedom. Now the ocean is a great hobby.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Spending much less time with my business, and much more time with philanthropy. Doing as many things on my "list" as possible, while I can still do them.
Personal goals? To instill my children with a strong sense of independence, adventure and giving.