Jason R. Kons

Jason R. Kons is a dedicated leader, inspirational speaker, and career officer in the U.S. Air Force with a passion for service, problem-solving, and developing others. Raised in Germantown, Wisconsin, Kons grew up in a hardworking family where he learned perseverance, responsibility, and empathy through both his upbringing and early experience working in his father’s excavating business.

A standout athlete, Kons earned a football scholarship to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he majored in civil engineering while competing at the highest level of Division I football. As a three-year starter, team captain, and All-Mountain West selection, he gained firsthand experience in balancing the rigorous demands of athletics and academics. His years on the field refined his understanding of leadership, teamwork, and accountability—skills that became central to his career in service.

Commissioned in 2013, Kons began his Air Force career as a civil engineer, where he quickly learned the importance of followership, communication, and positive contribution as a young officer. He later attended Explosive Ordnance Disposal School and began a six-year tenure commanding Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or EOD, flights. Under his leadership, his units achieved distinction as the best in the Air Force in back-to-back commands, an accomplishment reflecting his deep commitment to developing people, solving complex problems, and building mission-ready teams.

Throughout his service, Kons has remained anchored in the Air Force core values: integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all he does. These values carry into his second calling as an inspirational speaker and leadership coach. Drawing on his experiences as both an athlete and an officer, Kons crafted the GROWTH model, which challenges individuals and organizations to adopt a growth mindset, take ownership of their leadership journey, and commit to daily disciplines that enhance team and cultural performance. His message reinforces the belief that leadership is one of the most complex and consequential endeavors, demanding courage, character, and commitment.

Beyond his military career and speaking engagements, Kons is a devoted husband to his wife, Kasey. His life’s work reflects a consistent theme: to serve others, to lead with a character worth imitation, and to inspire growth wherever he is called.