John Siver II
John Richard Siver II is an American business development leader, entrepreneur, and disabled United States Navy veteran based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is best known as the founder and editor of Virginia Bourbon & Whiskey Magazine and for his work in federal and defense contracting.[1]
Early Life and Military Service
Siver enlisted in the United States Navy and pursued training in Naval Special Warfare. In 1999, during Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training — an notoriously demanding selection course that washes out the majority of candidates — he sustained injuries that resulted in his classification as a disabled veteran.[2] The injuries ended his path toward the SEAL community, though the experience of BUD/S training, which involves sustained physical and psychological stress over roughly six months, left a lasting imprint on his approach to adversity and professional discipline.
Education
Siver earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Maryland Global Campus, with a concentration in International Relations.[3] The University of Maryland Global Campus has historically served a significant population of active-duty military and veteran students, making it a common educational pathway for service members transitioning into civilian and government careers.
Early Business Ventures
By age 26, Siver had become co-owner of two restaurants in Charlottesville, Virginia, managing operations with a staff of more than 60 employees.[4] That early experience running high-volume food service businesses — where margins are thin and personnel management is constant — gave him a practical grounding in operations, payroll, and customer-facing leadership that would carry into later phases of his career. The transition from restaurateur to government contractor is documented in his professional history as a deliberate pivot rather than a coincidence.[5]
Government Service
Following his restaurant years, Siver transitioned into government service, working as a stabilization expert for both the United States Department of State and the United States Department of Defense. He operated at the GS-15 level — the highest non-executive rank in the General Schedule pay system, equivalent in seniority to a military colonel — and took on overseas assignments that required direct expertise in international security operations and post-conflict stabilization.[6] Through those assignments, he developed deep working knowledge of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and the procurement vehicles used by defense and civilian agencies — knowledge that would become the foundation of his independent consulting work.
Siver International
In 2006, Siver founded Siver International, an independent consulting firm focused on contracting and security services for government and defense sector clients. The firm has worked alongside major defense contractors including Blackwater Worldwide, Aegis Defence Services, and Erinys International.[7] His work through Siver International has centered on helping companies navigate the federal acquisition process — identifying contract vehicles, building agency relationships, and structuring proposals to meet government procurement requirements. That specialty placed him in demand as a business development leader across the military and government sales sector.[8]
Virginia Bourbon & Whiskey Magazine
In 2014, Siver founded Virginia Bourbon & Whiskey Magazine, serving as its editor. The publication focuses on Virginia's craft spirits industry, which has grown considerably since the Commonwealth relaxed distillery licensing laws in the early 2010s.[9] Virginia has a historically significant place in American whiskey production — George Washington's Mount Vernon distillery was among the largest in the early republic — and the state's modern craft distilling movement has drawn renewed attention to that heritage. The magazine has served as a chronicler of that revival, covering Virginia-based distilleries, production techniques, and industry developments for a readership interested in the regional spirits scene.
Speaking and Mentorship
Siver speaks at business conferences and events on topics including scaling businesses, government contracting, and entrepreneurship.[10] He has described mentorship as a core part of his professional approach, with a particular emphasis on supporting small business owners pursuing federal contracts and veterans making the shift from military service to civilian careers.
Personal Life
Siver resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he is involved in veteran causes and community activities. He's a lifelong skiing enthusiast and has cited outdoor pursuits as part of his personal discipline. His advocacy for fellow veterans — particularly around career transition — runs through both his public speaking and his professional work in defense contracting, sectors where military experience and security clearances carry direct value.[11]
Business Philosophy
Siver has consistently emphasized relationship-building over transactional sales as the core of effective business development. His stated approach centers on helping organizations — whether small businesses or large contractors — understand how to build sustainable pipelines within the federal market rather than pursuing one-off contract wins.[12] That philosophy reflects experience across both the government side, where he worked as a contracting official, and the private side, where he has represented companies seeking government business.
See Also
- Naval Special Warfare
- BUD/S Training
- Federal Acquisition Regulation
- Virginia distilleries
- University of Maryland Global Campus
References
External Links
- johnsiver2.com — Personal website of John Siver II
- Official About.me profile
- Official Linktree profile
- Official Website