John Stephen MacLeod

John Stephen "Jake" MacLeod was born on December 30, 1952, in Kansas City, Missouri to Thomas Daniel and Marie (O'Brien) MacLeod. The MacLeod's had 6 children of which Jake was the fourth born. The family moved to Webster Groves, MO where Jake attended DeSmet High School where he was elected to be their first class president. Jake played football and wrestled!

He graduated in 1971. He went on to Cornell University and then transferred to Abilene Christian University where he met his future wife. After their marriage on December 21, 1974, they moved to Austin where Jake completed his degree at the University of Texas. Jake's education centered around Science and Biology and his first job was teaching 8th grade Science, in Austin. Once a child was on the way, Jake decided to change careers and entered into the world of communications with Southwestern Bell in San Antonio, TX. Jake was in on the "ground floor" of the wireless/cellular communication industry and ended up becoming the head of the Wireless Communications division for Bechtel Corporation as Principal Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. Jake was awarded the esteemed title of "Bechtel Fellow", an honor bestowed on few. But if Jake was telling you his story right now, he would say that his most important work was sharing his faith in God and helping with mission work. For years he worked closely with Timothy Warden and the church in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines. Jake helped in many efforts there with one of the biggest being to fundraise, design and build a new worship center for the church there.