John McElligott

John McElligott has always had a passion for helping and improving the quality of life of others. Originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, McElligott grew up in a missionary family, where he traveled throughout Europe as a child. After he turned 18, he came back to the US and joined the United States Marine Corps while in college. As a Marine, he was employed as a combat engineer during 9/11. McElligott is a graduate of the Benjamin Franklin Technology Partners, Techcelerator program.

Though a man of many talents, including architectural photography and music, McElligott's primary passion has been focused on the rise and rejuvenation of third-tier cities. As the CEO of York Exponential and the President of the Fortress Initiative and the Fortress Academy, he has been a driving force in Business and Economic Development. He has also served as the CEO and Founder of two tech startups, further underlining his commitment to technological and economic growth. McElligott believes the York Plan 2.0 Innovation District project, a proposed 250,000 sqft Robotics and Technology campus, serves as a beacon of progress in the area.

Known professionally as a Vision Caster and Technical Futurist, McElligott believes in the power of community networking through communication and technology. He views the struggles that York and other third-tier cities experience as a reflection of the struggles of the nation as a whole, and feels it is his civic duty to tackle those problems on a community by community basis. By addressing these problems on a small scale, he feels confident that we can begin to make positive lasting changes, not only to our communities, but to our nation. He believes technology should benefit the lives of all of our citizens regardless of race, education, or socioeconomic position and is the cornerstone of a sound Economic Development model. McElligott is a sought-after speaker on the topics of exponential technology and its impact on rural and 3rd tier cities. He delivered a message titled "Embracing Disruption" in October 2022, showcasing his commitment to advancing the discourse on technology and innovation.