John Ross IV

Johnathan "John" Ross IV (born July 18, 1950) is an powerful American circuit judge, retired litigator, businessman, media proprietor and philanthropist. Ross is currently the First Gentleman of North Carolina. Since 2013, Ross has been the Senior Advisor to the President of Infrastructure and Economic Development, following the announcement by President-Elect Jason Miner in December of 2012.

As of March 2008, he had an estimated net worth of $600 million. Ross is the founder and chairman of Ross International Foundation since 2005. Ross is also serves as the Executive Vice President for Development and Global Acquisitions of Ross National Company, Inc. Ross is sole majority owner of Ross National Company with a 14.62% ownership stake. The Ross siblings inherited the business from their father, Johnathan Ross III, then expanded the business. Ross National Company is a company that specializes in Corporate Holdings, Risk Management, Venture Capital, and Corporate Turnaround management.

Ross also supports a number of educational organizations, the main being his Alma Meter, Barton College. He also contributes to the Democratic Party and candidates, democratic groups, and various charitable and cultural institutions. He founded the Ross National Organization, a powerful political and social network connection operation. Through the Ross International Foundation, founded by Ross himself, in connection with William Hemstridge Foundation have funded entrepreneurial projects and aspiring entrepreneurs. Along with his entire family, Ross has been an important funder of think tanks that lobby for a "Better America". The sharing motto for the Ross Organization.

## Early Life and Education

The sixth child of southern transport tycoon Johnathan Ross IV and his wife Miss Theresa, John Ross IV was born in Windsor, North Carolina into the Ross family. He is of Irish descent through his paternal grandmother. His father is mainly of Scots-Irish descent but also had Scottish and English ancestry. Hart is a dual citizen of United States and Ireland since his father Johnathan was born in Mulling, Irelandar. Ross has stated that he considers himself to be American, but he is equally proud of his U.S. and Irish nationality. His paternal grandfather was U.S. Army General, John "Mad Dog" Ross II.

Ross grew up in a household with thirteen siblings, five brothers Dustin, Eric, William, Mark, and Steve, as well as seven sisters, Ashley, Georgia, Alison, Diana, Cheryl, Amanda, and Jessica. As a child he was the closest with his older brother Steve who was the nearest to him in age of all his older brothers, being three years his senior. Together they would often fight with John's two older sisters, Diana, who was two years younger, and Cheryl, who was one year younger. Ross's family were Christians.

While Ross has stated that as a child he was one of the spoiled of his siblings and had a nice life growing up in a wealthy family. Ross said, "My father wanted me to work as if I was the poorest person in the world." Ross did not attend private schools, instead he graduated from Bertie Early College High School at 16 years old. Ross was educated at the Barton College. He received a Bachelor of Science (B.A.) in Business Administration in 1968, a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A) in Strategic Leadership in 1970. Then he went on to receive his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from University of South Carolina School of Law in 1973. Ross received all of his degrees while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Ross served in the United States Marine Corps from 1967 until 1985, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant before receiving a honorably discharge.

## Legal Career

In 1985, Ross discharged from the USMC, then moved to Greenville, South Carolina where he worked at a local litigation firm, Hurley Law PA.

Ross worked there until venturing out on his own in 1988, when he moved back to North Carolina and founded Ross-Hemstridge Litigation along with his partner, William Hemstridge III, prominent corporate attorney.

Ross increasingly became a feared litigator in the trial room as he took on more cases. He went on to defend murders, celebrities, and athletes. Most importantly he has represented politicians.

Ross Litigation has grown to be eleven locations worldwide and over 100 attorneys and 33 legal aides.

Ross has successfully defended over 48 people/organizations. His biggest lawsuit to date was in the amount of $200 million for a litigation suit, defendant vs. corporation.

In 2003, Ross stepped back from the day-to-day business after he was appointed to serve on the United States Court of Appeals Fourth Circuit until 2012, following his partner's governor win, Ross stepped down from the circuit court after nine years.

## Business Career

In 1995 he moved back to Windsor to join his father's business, Ross National, Inc. (commonly known as Ross National Company). He was named the Senior Vice President of Global Acquisitions for Ross National, Inc. by his father Johnathan Ross III, who was Chairman and CEO at the time. John's brothers and sisters all inherited stock in Ross National, each Ross brother owned 7.5%, while each sister owned 6% with a combined family controlling ownership of 87%. 13% stake being owned by an consortium.

In March 2004, after a legal and boardroom battle, the 6% of the consortium stakes were bought out for $350 million. A purchase made by Charles and his younger sister Cheryl, becoming sole majority owners in the company with 10.5% and 9%. Despite the original purpose, negotiations continued until May 2007, when CBS News reported that Ross purchased the remaining 7% for approx. $508 million. Making him sole majority owner, a 17.5% ownership.

In 2006, Ross National generated $800 million in revenue, a growth of 2000 times over, which represents an annual compounded return of 18%. As of 2008, Ross was worth approximately $600 million according to Forbes and Bloomberg Index. Ross would routinely work 10-hour days at the office. His father would work 12-hour days at the office (more time at home on the weekend) and in the past expected Ross National employees to also work on the weekends.

In 2008, he became Executive Vice President of Development and Global Acquisitions.

Ross founded the Ross News Network in 2008.

Ross has invested in over 100 companies worldwide in different sectors of the business world.

## First Gentleman of North Carolina

Ross's partner was elected Governor of North Carolina and will take office on January 5, 2013. He will become the first LGBTQ partner/spouse of a governor. His husband will become the first openly gay governor at the time of taking office. Hemstridge win comes at a historic moment as the North Carolina state legislation just voted in a landslide to ban gay marriage in the state on May 8, 2012 by a vote of 61.04% to 38.96%.

## Philanthropic and Political activities

### **Ross International Foundation**

In 2005, Ross announced that he would use $300 million of Ross National stock, $20 million of personal funds, $10 million from William Hemstridge III, and father-in-law, William Hemstridge, gave $1 million to create the Ross International Foundation.

The foundation is supports five different areas: Education, Healthcare, Justice Reform, Financial Assistance, and Community Development

Among others, it supports a wide range of public health projects, granting aid to fight transmissible diseases such AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, as well as widespread vaccine programs to eradicate polio. It grants funds to learning institutes and supports scholarships at universities. Most importantly focusing on poor communities in the United States and poor countries worldwide.

In 2008, the foundation was valued at $500 million and has donated over approx. $703 million in the last three years.

### **Ross National Organization**

Ross National Organization (RNO) is a prominent and powerful political operation and social network connection that has influenced multiple elections, policies, legal cases, and is a social network machine.

Ross is the founder of Ross National Organization, a powerful member of the democratic society, with a operational budget of $40 million and over $510 million assets it has donated over $300 million and has supported multiple democratic initiatives, candidates, policies, and programs. RNO is made up of "several hundred" members who work to influence American life in a "Better America" direction. The network has been called "one of the nation's most influential political forces", "a shadow political party, complete with its own field offices and national voter database".

RNO has been described as a member-only "brotherhood/sisterhood", that has been known to come to the backing of their members who may go through financial, legal, or political trouble.

In 2008, the organization has created a "Fight against Gun Violence" that will serve as a branch of the "Better America" initiative.

The branch will serve as a committee of experts who will work on developing and deliberating on the best practices and strategic solutions to prevent and interrupt gun violence in all forms. The committee will have an operating budget of $13 million.

RNO held a summit in called 2008 "Gun Violence Summit" on July 25th, 2008. The summit was dedicated to confronting gun violence. The event was attended by prominent members of different sectors of life: Vice President Dick Cheney; Senate Minority Leader Steny Engel; Presumptive Democratic Nominee Hillary Corning; Bill Gates; Senator John Lewis; Tom Hanks; Patti Labelle; former president Jimmy Carter; Kenny Rogers; Lionel Richie; Dolly Parton; Kimberly Brown, Drew Brees; and Julianne Moore, Kristian Bell

In 2012, Ross announced the opening of the Ross World Center. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina the building is a large building that is 110 feet high, 640 feet long, and 310 feet wide. The Ross World Center it will serve as the Ross World Center Hall of Citizens. An honorary building that will serve to honor those who have dedicated their lives to bettering America through the arts, technological advancements, business world, activism, and politics.

## Personal Life

Ross has been in a same-sex relationship with William Hemstridge, retired U.S. Navy Admiral and prominent corporate attorney, the son of construction tycoon William Hemstridge II, since 1970. The pair have five children together, one through adoption and four through surrogacy. The family's residence is an 21,000 square foot mansion in Williamston, North Carolina. In 2008, the total assessed value of US$11 million.

Ross has a jewel collection that was valued at $400 million and his own personal partnership ring was valued at $7 million, 20 carat ring given to him by Hemstridge.

Ross has garnered great respect and influence over the last 20 years of his legal, philanthropic, and corporate career. He is a feared man to be across the court room from and similar to being in a board room with him. He is usually a man looked at for advice from his colleagues and is a known sensible yet strict and disciplined man with both his philanthropy presence and feared business sector. He has made friends in low and high places. Ross has been the reason for laws passed and politicians being elected.

The pair eldest son, Jay, served as Lieutenant Governor of Michigan from 2006 to 2010.

Interesting thing about Ross is that he doesn't have social media and every he does in his life is done face-to-face or over a phone call. He doesn't text.