A successful entrepreneur, Marine, political activist, and author, John Warren is the current C.E.O. of GEM Mining, a privately held, institutional-grade Bitcoin mining company.

John is the former founder and C.E.O. of Lima One Capital, a specialty mortgage finance company that has grown into one of the country’s largest lenders for residential real estate investors and homebuilders. Lima One Capital was recognized as one of South Carolina’s fastest growing companies, one of its best places to work, and one of its most ethical companies before John sold it in 2019.

Prior to founding Lima One Capital, John served four years on active duty as an infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 2006, he deployed with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines to Ramadi, Iraq where he conducted combat operations against insurgent forces and was decorated for valor and heroic achievement for leading a counter-attack against insurgents attacking Observation Post Virginia. In total, he led over three hundred combat missions and left the Marine Corps with the rank of captain. John speaks regularly on U.S. foreign policy, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

In 2018, John ran for governor of South Carolina reaching the run-off in the Republican primary. He ran a positive, solutions-oriented campaign that focused on limited government, reforming broken government systems, and empowering taxpayers. He is the current honorary chairman of South Carolina’s Conservative Future.

John lives in Greenville with his wife Courtney and three children. He earned a B.A. from Washington and Lee University and an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business. He is former chairman of the SC’s Young President’s Organization, a member of Downtown Presbyterian Church, and co-author of the upcoming HarperCollins book, Lead Like a Marine.