John A. Verna (1951)

John is a successful entrepreneur and businessman. He owned and operated Big John's World of Stone and Landscaping for more than 30 years. Over the years, John became the successful business owner of numerous companies, branching out even further into the business of wood stoves, gas fireplaces, sod farms, nurseries, and pre-cast concrete. Following his retirement, John served as City Councilman from January 1996 to December 1999.

John was a major factor in the development of Lake Pueblo. John was also very influential in leading the way for the new Pueblo Convention Center. He had such effect on the Medal of Honor Foundation when he met with them in 1998, that they brought the national convention to Pueblo in 2000. John is a founding member and current President of the Pueblo Medal of Honor Foundation. John and his wife Nadine provided funds to construct the display in the main lobby for Centrals two Medial of Honor recipients. He has remained active in community projects and continues to work for the Pueblo community, focusing efforts on safety issues, economic development, improvement of the infrastructure, affordable housing, and education.

John was recognized as Pueblo's 2011 Citizen of the Year.