John Gardner Ford, born March 16, 1952, is the second son of President Gerald Ford and Betty Ford. Known as “Jack,” he co-founded Outside magazine in 1977, built the technology business California Infoplace, and carved out a private life centered on entrepreneurship, conservation, and family in Southern California.

Most people know Gerald Ford as the 38th President of the United States, the man who stepped into the Oval Office after Richard Nixon’s resignation. Far fewer know the story of his son, John Gardner Ford, a man who grew up inside the White House, campaigned on national television at 24, and then quietly walked away from the spotlight to build something entirely his own.

That choice, to trade political celebrity for business and outdoor adventure, tells you almost everything about who Jack Ford really is. He is a presidential son who refused to be defined by that fact. In an era when the children of presidents often leverage family names for careers in entertainment, law, or politics, John Gardner Ford did something rarer: he built a life on his own terms.

This article covers Jack Ford’s early years, his pivotal role in launching one of America’s most beloved outdoor magazines, his business career in technology, his family life, and the quiet but meaningful legacy he has built across seven decades.

Growing Up Ford: Early Life and Education

John Gardner Ford was born on March 16, 1952. He grew up during a time when his father was serving in Congress, which meant the Ford household was already steeped in the rhythms of public service before the White House ever entered the picture.

He graduated from T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Virginia in 1970, and he later attended Jacksonville University as well as Utah State University, where he studied forestry. That choice of major tells you a great deal. While a political career was right there for the taking, Jack was more interested in trees and trails than congressional hearings.

His siblings, with Michael Ford out of the house and Jack completing his studies, left the two youngest Ford children, Susan and Steven, spending the most time in the White House. The Ford children were famously grounded. Susan Ford recalled that on the night they moved into the White House, Steven famously headed to the roof and played Led Zeppelin at full volume. They were, in every sense, regular American teenagers who happened to be living in the most famous house in the country.

Campaigning for His Father in 1976

Before he stepped away from politics entirely, John Gardner Ford dove straight into the center of it. When Gerald Ford ran for reelection in 1976, Jack was at the forefront, speaking on television and meeting voters all across the country.

A handsome young man with shaggy blonde hair, Jack campaigned for his father because, in some ways, he felt like he had to. He told Rolling Stone in 1976, “I just wanted to participate. I’ll never get a chance to do it again. Besides, none of my brothers or my sister were really up for it.”

That candor was characteristic. He was not performing patriotism. He was doing something personal and specific, helping his father during one of the most consequential campaigns of the decade. Gerald Ford ultimately lost that election to Jimmy Carter, but Jack’s dedication during those months reflected a loyalty that went deeper than politics.

Co-Founding Outside Magazine

If there is one professional achievement that defines John Gardner Ford in the public record, it is his role in launching Outside magazine. In 1977, along with William Randolph Hearst III and Jann Wenner, he was part of the founding staff of the magazine Outside.

The publication dedicated to promoting adventures in the outdoors continues to resonate with readers more than 40 years after its founding. Today, Outside Media is one of the most recognized brands in outdoor culture, reaching millions of readers across digital and print platforms. For Jack, it was a natural extension of his forestry studies and his genuine love for the natural world.

The fact that a presidential son helped build a magazine about hiking, climbing, and wilderness exploration instead of launching a lobbying firm or political consultancy says a great deal about his priorities. His co-founders were media industry heavyweights. His contribution was both his network and his authentic passion for outdoor life.

What Outside Magazine Became

Outside launched at a moment when American interest in outdoor adventure was beginning to grow significantly. By the 1980s and 1990s, it had become the definitive voice for readers who wanted serious coverage of adventure sports, environmental issues, and expedition travel. Today the brand has expanded into podcasts, events, and a digital streaming platform. Jack Ford was there at the very beginning.

Building California Infoplace

After his publishing years, Ford co-founded a successful business called California Infoplace, which staffs shopping center customer service programs throughout the United States.

He eventually became the chief executive of California Infoplace, a firm specializing in digital information kiosks and advertising displays. The business model was ahead of its time in many ways, placing interactive technology at the center of retail environments before smartphones made that concept universal. The company operates across shopping centers nationwide, connecting consumers with local information in physical spaces.

Ford’s wealth, estimated at around $10 million, largely stems from his work as an entrepreneur rather than from politics or public office. That distinction matters. He did not trade on the Ford name to secure board positions or consulting contracts. He built businesses from the ground up.

Civic Work in Southern California

Beyond his business career, Jack Ford engaged with his community. He served on the board governing the Del Mar Fair, a major community event in Southern California. His appointment to the board came through California governors George Deukmejian and Pete Wilson. This kind of local civic engagement reflects a consistent pattern: John Gardner Ford preferred to work at the community level rather than seek national attention.

Family Life and Personal Character

Ford married Juliann Felando on April 29, 1989, and they have two sons, Christian Gerald Ford, born October 14, 1997, and Jonathan August Ford, born November 29, 1999.

Juliann is the daughter of a San Diego tuna fishing executive. The family has lived primarily in Southern California, particularly in the Rancho Santa Fe and San Diego areas.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Juliann played a significant role in helping the shaggy-haired teen develop into a successful businessman.

Those who know Ford often describe him as relaxed, approachable, and deeply committed to family. That image, private, grounded, comfortable in nature, is consistent across decades of reporting. He is not a man who courts attention.

Jack Ford vs. His Siblings: A Quick Comparison

Each of the Ford children carved a distinct path. While his siblings pursued careers in entertainment, education, and advocacy, Jack focused primarily on entrepreneurship and outdoor interests.

Staying Connected to the Ford Legacy

John Gardner Ford never entirely stepped away from his family’s history. He has occasionally participated in events connected to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and other commemorative programs honoring the 38th president and Betty Ford’s public service.

That balance is worth noting. He honors his parents’ legacy without using it as a brand. He shows up when it matters. He stays private when privacy serves him and his family better.

Today, John Gardner Ford is often described as the most private of President Ford’s children. In the world of presidential offspring, where memoir deals and political commentary are common currency, that restraint is genuinely unusual.

FAQs About John Gardner Ford

Who is John Gardner Ford? John “Jack” Gardner Ford is the second son of President Gerald Ford and Betty Ford, born on March 16, 1952. He co-founded Outside magazine and later led California Infoplace, a technology and kiosk business.

Did John Gardner Ford work in politics? Briefly. He campaigned actively for his father’s 1976 presidential reelection bid but chose entrepreneurship over a political career afterward.

What is Outside magazine and what was Jack Ford’s role? In 1977, alongside William Randolph Hearst III and Jann Wenner, Ford was part of the founding staff of Outside, an outdoor adventure magazine that remains influential today.

Where does John Gardner Ford live now? Ford and his family live primarily in Southern California, particularly in the Rancho Santa Fe and San Diego areas.

What is John Gardner Ford’s net worth? His estimated net worth is around $10 million, built through entrepreneurial ventures in publishing and technology rather than through politics.

A Presidential Son on His Own Terms

The story of John Gardner Ford is ultimately a story about choice. He was born into one of the most recognizable families in American politics. He grew up in the White House during one of the most turbulent periods in modern American history. He had every opportunity to build a career around that access and that name.

Instead, he studied forestry. He helped launch a magazine about the outdoors. He built a technology business serving shopping centers. He married, raised two sons in California, and served on the board of a local fair. These are the choices of a man who knew exactly who he was and refused to trade that for headlines.

For anyone drawn to the intersection of American political history and individual identity, John Gardner Ford offers a compelling case study. Not every presidential child needs to write a memoir or run for office to matter. Some of them do the harder thing: they build a life that belongs entirely to themselves.