BIOS

JOHN ESLER is a lifelong entrepreneur, who believes doing the right thing, over the long run, is always the most profitable thing. As a youth with a paper route and caddying at a local golf course, John discovered an appetite for working for himself. Engaging others to work with him began during the summer months through his college years, selling souvenirs at Saratoga Springs horse racetrack in upstate New York. Other entrepreneurial ventures include owning Subway franchises and a Betterliving Sunroom dealership before establishing Esler Companies, Renewal by Andersen’s largest national affiliate in 2004. While leading Esler Companies, John focused attention on structuring the organization around its core value of love, and to be a business in service first to teammates, second to customers, and third to the community. John is especially proud of establishing the company’s philanthropic arm, Window of Giving, which enables team members to give back to those in need within the communities where they live and do business.

Upon retiring from Esler Companies, John and his wife Jeanne established the Esler Family Foundation to support local and global organizations that advance economic development for the under-resourced, improve global mental, fight racism and strengthen Democracy. Philanthropic pursuits also include EforAll, United Way, Worcester State University, Babson College, The Greater Worcester Community Foundation, Strong Minds and Young Life.

John’s passion for entrepreneurship is now channeled to mentoring others as a member of the Center for Entrepreneurship Advisory Board at Worcester State University, and as board Chair of EforAll Worcester.

Currently, John and Jeanne are fellows at Harvard’s Advanced Leadership Initiative where they are spending 1 year learning about the world's most complex problems to discover where they can have the greatest impact.

John and Jeanne have two teenage children and reside in Sutton, MA