John Frederick Chapman
| John Frederick Chapman | |
|---|---|
 Chapman in 2025 | |
| Born | April 27, 1979 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| 🏳️ Nationality | American |
| 💼 Occupation | Vocational education executive, electrician, contractor |
| Known for | Founder of JASA Inc Trade School |
| ❤️ Partner(s) | Natasha Richard (engaged)2022 |
John Frederick Chapman (born April 27, 1979) is an American vocational education executive, licensed electrician, and Class A contractor. He is the founder and chief executive officer of JASA Inc Trade School, a vocational institution offering hybrid and virtual reality–assisted training programs in the skilled trades. Chapman also founded the Johnny Apple Seed Association, a nonprofit organization supporting workforce access and second-chance employment.
Early life and family
Chapman was born on April 27, 1979, in Detroit, Michigan, to Nancy S. Chapman and Frederick Arthur Chapman. He was raised primarily by his mother in Macomb Township, Michigan, and has two brothers (Andrew and Ross) and two sisters (Jill and Gracie).
Chapman experienced medical complications from birth, including hydronephrosis caused by reflux affecting the ureters. Beginning at six months of age, he underwent numerous surgeries, ultimately totaling more than thirty-five major procedures. At age seventeen he suffered a stroke, resulting in temporary loss of mobility and speech; he later fully recovered following rehabilitation.
Education and trade experience
Chapman struggled in traditional academics due to a written language disability but excelled in vocational coursework. During high school, he attended trade school courses and later became both a licensed electrician and a Class A contractor.
Family and early career
Chapman became a father in 2003 with the birth of his daughter Alexis, and again in 2005 with the birth of his daughter Emily. His third daughter, Jaylene, was born in 2009. Chapman raised all three as a single father after relocating to Northern Virginia. During this period he experienced financial hardship and spent time in a family shelter before working for a pest control company and later as a nonprofit fundraiser.
Johnny Apple Seed Association
In 2011, Chapman founded the Johnny Apple Seed Association, a nonprofit organization focused on helping individuals reach self-sufficiency through workforce access, training support, community assistance, and partnerships. His mother, Nancy S. Chapman, assisted with administrative responsibilities, including paperwork and grant applications. Russell Abshire also supported the organization in administrative capacities.
Chapman’s mother passed away unexpectedly on October 14, 2017. To honor her efforts and support, Chapman established a memorial scholarship in her name.
JASA Inc Trade School
Chapman founded the JASA Inc Trade School in 2012. The institution offers accelerated hybrid training programs in electrical, plumbing, HVAC, automotive, construction, industrial maintenance, and facilities maintenance. Courses incorporate virtual reality simulations, online curriculum, and hands-on labs. As of 2025, JASA reports more than 480 active students and annual revenue of approximately $6.9 million. The school focuses on second-chance training for veterans, foster youth, and returning citizens.
Correctional education initiatives
In 2017, JASA launched a trade program at Coffeewood Correctional Center in Virginia, offering a basic electrical course supported by Master Electrician Mark Koper and correctional counselors. The curriculum is based on a 265-hour accelerated format.
Community involvement
Since 2014, Chapman has overseen JASA-supported initiatives including food distribution for veterans, holiday toy drives for shelters, and outreach events for homeless encampments.
Personal life
Chapman has three daughters: Alexis (born 2003), who assists in JASA’s East Coast office; Emily (born 2005), an automotive mechanic in San Diego; and Jaylene, who has expressed interest in pursuing food service entrepreneurship. In 2018, Chapman reunited with Natasha Richard, whom he originally met at age thirteen. The couple are engaged and reside in Southern California. Chapman also has a stepdaughter, Juliya Richard, born in 2005 on the birthday of Chapman’s late mother.
References
References
This article "John Frederick Chapman" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:John Frederick Chapman. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
- ↑ McClure, Kerry (August 1, 2025). "Correctional Education Success: Trade School Electrical Training Program Transforms Lives at Coffeewood". Coffeewood Correctional Center Cognitive Community.
- ↑ Greening, Kurt. "From Prison to Social Entrepreneur". Kurt Greening.
- ↑ "Who We Are". JASA Inc Trade School.
- ↑ "Manassas Trade School Prepares Students for Workforce". What’s Up Prince William. January 24, 2019. Retrieved December 2025. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ "From Prison to Social Entrepreneur — Captain Kurt". Kurt Greening Blog. February 2020. Retrieved December 2025. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ "JASA Inc. Trade School Scales Education Impact, Achieves 85% Job Placement Rate for Grads". Interplay Learning. Retrieved December 2025. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ "Coffeewood Correctional Center Cognitive Community Initiates Basic Electrical Study Course". Around Corrections. Virginia Department of Corrections. August 2017. p. 8.
