Prior to joining SVN John served as the Executive Director of the Woodford County Economic Development Authority (EDA) for 5 years and as its Chairman for 10 years. During John’s tenure the EDA attracted three major new employers to the County, More Than A Bakery, Lakeshore Learning and American Howa of Kentucky, The EDA also resurrected a failed industrial park, Midway Station, into a productive job producing revenue center. John grew up in Carlisle on a family farm and started his 42 year banking career while attending Centre College and graduating from the University of Kentucky in 1977. He paid for college by working part time for Kentucky Group Banks and after graduation went on to work in community banks in North Middletown, Nicholasville, Danville, Lexington and Versailles. He served as CEO of Bank of Danville and Citizens Commerce in Versailles. John has served on the Board of Trustees of both Ephraim McDowell Hospital in Danville and Bluegrass Community Hospital in Versailles and as a member of the Workforce Innovation Board for the 17 county Central Kentucky region. John is married to Rita, a licensed clinical social worker in private practice. John met Rita while volunteering for United Way and when Rita was the Executive Director of the Florence Crittenton Home. John and Rita live in Versailles and have both been very active in community service. They have one son, Jon Tongate, who with his wife Amber reside in Lexington.