Everybody has a story, and mine began in 1963, in Geneva, Ohio.  I live on a 240-acre farm that my family has farmed since 1856.  The Ashtabula County area and the people who reside here have always played an important role in my life, be it coaching or teaching.  Three generations of my family, including my son, John T. McMahan IV,  have graduated from Geneva High School and Ohio State University, where our family provides scholarships for incoming students in Columbus. My Grandparents, Erval and Virginia Spafford taught in the Geneva schools and Erval ultimately became a school board member and then president of the board.

              I graduated High School in Geneva in 1981 and entered Wilmington College as an agriculture major.  I also participated in Wilmington's strong sports and performing arts culture before moving to Vienna, Austria to study the arts and music.   While in Vienna, I was captivated by European romances, writing, music, and opera.  My writing career began in Vienna.  I was asked to model and appear in a few TV commercials for various companies.

             I have had the privilege to perform in dozens of plays, and written three books on local history; 2 of poetry and  The Trumbull Creek Anthology, which is a set of historical fixations.  I have recorded seven albums over my career, with three new ones in 2023 "Menagerie" 2023 "The Sun Girl", and the newest release in 2025 "The Great Divide".

              After returning from Vienna, I began to manage the family dairy farm, residential rentals, and real estate holdings while continuing college, playing college tennis, and a BA in the Arts, and three educationally based degrees, including a Doctorate in Educational Leadership OBD, from Youngstown State University.  

                As a five-term Trumbull Township Trustee and an involved citizen in various organizations in Northeastern Ohio, my dedication to my community is personal and the health, safety, and welfare of our citizens along with the advancement and opportunities for their children is my primary focus and concern.