CMP Board Member Highlights: John Carson

The CMP Board of Directors is currently comprised of 9 individuals who share the same common interest: advancing marksmanship in the United States through safety, competitions and program opportunities. Though their goals are mutual, they come from an array of backgrounds – bringing with them their own unique experiences for the betterment of the organization. Here, we learn a little more about the individuals who are helping to lead CMP into the future.

John Carson:

Hometown:

My hometown is La Jolla, California, then a small military retirement community.

How did you hear about the CMP, initially?

From Steve Rutledge, founder of the Garand Collectors Association (GCA), and Cris Stone, West Point ’64 and former Board member.

Why did you decide to join the CMP Board?

A worthy cause, and wonderful people.

What do you hope to achieve as a member of the CMP Board?

To help make the CMP mission of marksmanship and the safe enjoyment of shooting sports a legacy we that we can pass to future generations, as it was passed to us.

What are some of your hobbies – exercise, movies, knitting, favorite sports teams, etc.?

Hiking, skiing, biking, bird hunting, riflery, reloading, travel.

Biography:

John Carson is the former President and Vice Chairman of Raymond James Financial. Before stepping down in 2022, he served on the firm’s Executive Committee, and as head of the Fixed Income, Public Finance, Corporate Development and Strategic Accounts divisions. Mr. Carson joined Raymond James in April 2012 when Morgan Keegan was acquired by Raymond James. He joined Morgan Keegan in the fixed income department in 1994 and became CEO of Morgan Keegan & Company in 2008. He served on the ALCO and Management committees of Regions Financial Corporation from 2007 to 2012.

Mr. Carson began his career at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York and in Caracas, Venezuela, where he focused on correspondent banking and currency arbitrage. He subsequently joined Morgan Stanley & Co., where he traded repo, U.S. agency debt, and mortgage-backed securities in New York and Tokyo. Originally from La Jolla, California, Mr. Carson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College, with a double major in International Economics and History, and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He and his wife, Suki, have four sons.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program is a federally chartered 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation. It is dedicated to firearm safety and marksmanship training and to the promotion of marksmanship competition for citizens of the United States. For more information about the CMP and its programs, log onto www.TheCMP.org.