Master Sergeant John Thompson, Ret. and Captain John Warren

Capt. John Warren

John Warren is a successful entrepreneur, Marine, political activist, and author. He currently is CEO of GEM Mining, a privately held, institutional-grade Bitcoin (BTC) mining company. 

John is the former founder and CEO of Lima One Capital, a specialty mortgage finance company that has grown into one of the largest lenders for residential real estate investors and homebuilders in the country. Lima One has been recognized as the Fastest Growing Company in South Carolina, one of the Best Places to Work in SC, and the Most Ethical Company in SC. John sold Lima One Capital in August of 2019.

Prior to founding Lima One Capital, John served four years on active duty as an infantry officer in the United States Marine Corps. In March of 2006, he deployed with 3rd Battalion, 8th Marines to Ramadi, Iraq where he spent seven months conducting combat operations against insurgent forces. While deployed, he was decorated for “valor” and “heroic achievement” as he “led a counter-attack against insurgents attacking Observation Post Virginia.” In total, he led over 300 combat missions and left the Marine Corps with the Rank of Captain. He speaks regularly on U.S. foreign policy, leadership, and entrepreneurship. 

In 2018, John ran for governor of South Carolina reaching the run-off in the Republican primary. John ran a positive, solutions-oriented campaign that focused on limited government, reforming broken government systems, and empowering taxpayers. He currently is honorary Chairman of South Carolina’s Conservative Future. 

He lives in Greenville with his wife Courtney and three children. John earned a B.A. from Washington and Lee University and an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern School of Business. He is former chairman of the SC’s Young President’s Organization (YPO) and is a member of Downtown Presbyterian Church. He is co-author of the upcoming Harper Collins book, Lead Like a Marine.

MSG. John Thompson, Ret.

John B. Thompson was the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Lima One Capital from 2011 to 2021. Before that he served 21 years on active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps, including numerous combat deployments as an infantry unit leader, and was decorated for valor. After his retirement from active duty as a Master Sergeant and following a brief stint as an operations manager at a defense contracting company, Thompson joined Warren to create Lima One. He was responsible for the daily operations of the company's entire work­force, which grew to more than 200 employees. He played a crucial role in Lima One's na­tionwide expansion and the design and implementation of all new processes, procedures and loan programs. 

Thompson currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for GEM Mining, a Bitcoin mining company. He lives in Greenville, South Carolina, with his wife Sandy, and has two grown children. He is the co-author of the upcoming Harper Collins Book, Lead Like a Marine.