In the rapidly evolving landscape of modern business, where the tides of change sweep away the unprepared, a few leaders stand tall, guiding their companies with unwavering vision and commitment. Jon Smith, CEO of Veteran Horizons LLC, is one such leader. His life story both inspires and teaches. Jon’s journey from the Pacific Northwest to top American company boardrooms shows the power of bouncing back, hard work, and exceptional leadership. As we explore this remarkable leader’s life and ideas, we uncover what it means to break new ground in today’s business world and the horizons ahead.
The Foundation of Leadership: Early Life and Inspirations
The rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest shaped Jon’s early years. The mountains became his playground, and the outdoors turned into his teacher. Here surrounded by natural beauty and challenges, Jon learned the practices of work ethic, hard work and their rewards. These early experiences didn’t just spark his love for sports and the outdoors. They also set the stage for a career full of determination and strategic thinking.
Looking back on his life’s path, Jon often points to his early years as the source of the toughness and perseverance that would later define his approach to business. Following a notable stint in the military where leadership wasn’t just learned but practiced in real time, Jon began his path in the business world. His background in manufacturing, infrastructure, and energy utilities paved the way to start Veteran Horizons, allowing him to put his extensive know-how and experience to work helping other companies reach their full potential.
The Birth of Veteran Horizons LLC: A Vision Realized
After over 15 years of serving as an executive in Private Equity-backed portfolios, coupled with over 35 years of leadership and industry experience, Jon recognized a glaring gap in the market—one that he was uniquely qualified to fill. He noticed many portfolio companies either lacked strong leadership teams or had great teams with little experience in dealing with Private Equity (PE). At the same time, he saw that investors often struggled to understand the intricacies of the sectors they put money into. These challenges presented an opportunity for Jon to step in, and thus, Veteran Horizons LLC was born.
Jon’s guidance transformed Veteran Horizons into more than a consulting firm; it became an ally to investment firms, helping them reach their goals in an accelerated fashion and portfolio companies to thrive in the private equity environment. His enthusiasm for mentoring leadership teams to success paired with his skill in crafting tailored relationships, has made Veteran Horizons a key resource for firms & companies aiming to shake things up and get real results.
Military Roots, Corporate Wings: The Influence of a Military Career
Jon’s military background has been instrumental in shaping his approach to business and leadership. He believes the military is the best place to learn, observe and be a leader at a very early age. It puts you in all kinds of different situations and ways of thinking, and you have to trust the people on your team. Jon figured out that being a leader means always trying to improve yourself, but more importantly your team. In the military, coming in second doesn’t count for anything.
This outlook has carried over into his business career. Jon’s knack for learning from setbacks, along with his push to seek perfection while attaining excellence, makes him stand out. He puts faith in his team to get the job done, and this trust forms the base of his achievements at Veteran Horizons.
Staying True to the Mission: The Heart of Veteran Horizons LLC
Veteran Horizons LLC has a straightforward goal: to provide top-notch strategies and tactics that help businesses grow by challenging the status quo. Jon started Veteran Horizons because he believes smaller and medium-sized companies should get the same high-quality advice as big corporations, but without the resource mismatch that often happens when hiring large consulting firms.
Veteran Horizons, with Jon at the helm, provides a suite of services to boost growth and success across industries. Jon and his team offer wide-ranging solutions that are down-to-earth and make a difference. These include coaching leaders planning for the long haul, buying and selling companies, and creating strategies accelerated growth and value. Jon’s achievements speak volumes. He’s been named one of the Top 100 U.S. Business Leaders of 2021, while guiding companies to earn spots among the 50 Most Admired Companies by Silicon Review.
Milestones of Success: The Achievements of Veteran Horizons
In just three years, Veteran Horizons has achieved significant milestones that underscore Jon’s leadership and the effectiveness of his strategies. The company has assisted several Private Equity firms with interim leadership, diligence, and target company assessment and valuation. In cases where deals were successful, Veteran Horizons has continued to partner with portfolio companies, helping them accelerate growth and develop strategies that lead to long-term success.
These achievements are a testament to Jon’s ability to translate his vast experience into results that matter. His approach is not just about providing advice but about becoming a trusted partner who is deeply invested in the success of his clients.
Giving Back: A Commitment to Community and Veterans
Jon’s commitment to leadership extends beyond the boardroom. He cares about helping the community veterans and children. His work with nonprofits shows he believes good leaders should make the world better.
He is currently active in the Omaha area, serving on the boards of Bags of Fun Omaha, of the Gabby Krause Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Omaha/Nebraska. Bags of Fun Omaha provides children with the gift of play while facing Life threatening illness. After four years on the board of the Ronald McDonald House, he is grateful to have been selected as the next board chair. Jon will lead the RMHO board in 2025-26. Jon formerly chaired Veterans in Energy after five years on the board, which helps veterans start and grow careers in the energy field.
The Pillars of Success: Personal Qualities and Philosophy
Jon attributes much of his success to qualities that were instilled in him from a young age—work ethic, resilience, grit, and a commitment to mentoring others. However, he believes that one of the most important and often overlooked qualities of a great leader is gratitude. For Jon, leadership is not about the individual; it’s about the success of the team and the organization as a whole.
Jon also emphasizes the importance of owning one’s life and circumstances. He believes that leaders must accept their shortfalls and work to change their circumstances if they are not satisfied. Blaming others, in his view, is the antithesis of leadership. Instead, true leaders take responsibility and inspire others to do the same.
Balancing Act: Maintaining Work-Life Harmony
Despite the demands of running a successful company, Jon has made it a priority to maintain a healthy work-life balance. When he founded Veteran Horizons, it was with the intention of rebalancing his professional duties with family time. This balance has allowed him to enjoy the flexibility to travel and spend time with his loved ones, while still making a significant impact in the business world.
Jon is also a strong advocate for maintaining healthy habits, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet—elements that are often neglected in the corporate grind. For Jon, these habits are not just about physical health but are essential to maintaining the energy and focus required to lead effectively.
The Road Ahead: Long-Term Vision for Veteran Horizons
Looking to the future, Jon has ambitious goals for Veteran Horizons. He envisions the company becoming the premier advisory and development resource for investment firms, portfolio companies, and leaders who are striving for excellence. With his proven track record and relentless drive, there is little doubt that Jon will achieve this vision, continuing to make Veteran Horizons a name synonymous with success and innovation.
Words of Wisdom: Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
For those aspiring to follow in his footsteps, particularly veterans looking to start their own businesses, Jon offers sage advice. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, noting that things don’t always go according to plan, but like in football, it’s the halftime adjustments that often determine the winner.
He also reminds entrepreneurs to focus on the basics, starting each day with small accomplishments that set a positive trajectory. Relationships, according to Jon, are everything—being genuine and present with everyone you meet is key to building a successful business.
Finally, Jon underscores the importance of community and gratitude. Giving back to both the business and local communities, and maintaining an attitude of gratitude, are irreplaceable elements in both business and life.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Leadership
Jon Smith’s journey from the mountains of the Pacific Northwest to the helm of Veteran Horizons LLC is a story of leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence. His impact on the business world, his community, and the lives of those he mentors is profound and far-reaching. As he continues to pioneer success, Jon remains a shining example of what it means to be an influential leader in today’s world. For aspiring entrepreneurs, his story is not just one to admire but one to learn from—a blueprint for building a legacy that will stand the test of time.
