Title: Founder and President
Company: Ballinger and Associates
Location: Harrison, Tennessee, United States
John R. Ballinger, III, founder and president at John R. Ballinger III, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in risk management.
With two and a half decades of experience, Mr. Ballinger has built a successful career in insurance and risk management, with a focus on leadership development and regulatory compliance. He currently holds several key roles, including manager and founder at 1st Lead U since 2023, founding member of 10xbcaptives.com since 2023, founder and president at Ballinger and Associates since 2020, president and chief executive officer at the National Association of Christian Athletes since 2018, and risk management consultant at Custom Benefits Consulting & Services since 2007. His responsibilities include serving as a personal growth and leadership coach for C-suite executives, assisting business owners in transitioning their companies or preparing it for sale, and coordinating with attorneys and their parties under Supreme Court Rule 31 to settle cases before they go to court.
Mr. Ballinger’s experience also includes serving as chief operating officer and chief risk officer at Clean Vapor LLC from 2019 to 2023, founding partner at Part-Time Business Partners from 2018 to 2021, and president and co-founder of Business Owners Benefits from 2006 to 2013. In the military, he served as a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army from 1985 to 2006. In addition to his professional roles, he is the podcast host of “1st Lead U” and “Oath and Pledge” and dedicates his time to pro bono initiatives. He also co-founded Get Veterans Involved, where he was active from 2014 to 2018. His impressive achievements have earned him recognition, including the Award for Leadership Development of People and the HEAL Conference Award in Education, along with multiple military awards and certificates.
Laying a solid educational foundation, Mr. Ballinger earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the American Military University in 1991. He also holds several certifications, including Rule 31 Mediation from the State of Tennessee in 2023, a licensed public adjuster from the State of Tennessee in 2020, a licensed insurance broker from the State of Tennessee in 2004, and is recognized as an expert witness in the states of Tennessee, Ohio, and Georgia.
Mr. Ballinger is widely recognized for his exceptional work in developing chief executive officers and leaders, as well as for his role as a Supreme Court Rule 31 mediator. He also takes great pride in leading Fort Bluff Camp, a nonprofit organization that serves approximately 14,000 children annually through youth athletics and summer camp programs. His dedication to this cause is driven by his belief that children are the future of America, and he is committed to ensuring the organization operates effectively and positively impacts the lives of the children it serves.
Mr. Ballinger attributes his success to his deep passion for leadership, which he says was profoundly shaped during his military service. He explains that during that time, he gained a critical understanding of the importance of leadership, especially when asking individuals to follow orders that could endanger their lives. This experience left a lasting impact on him, instilling a strong sense of responsibility to contribute to the betterment of leadership in America and beyond. Looking ahead, he aims to expand the reach of his podcast, “1st Lead U,” to a global audience, believing in the power of podcasts to positively impact lives and inspire people to become better leaders.
For more information, please visit:
Ballinger and Associates
1st Lead U – Leadership Development,
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