J.D. Messinger

Jonathan D. (JD) Messinger is a corporate visionary, inspirational speaker, and spiritual mentor. He began life as a fireman and went on to become CEO of Ernst & Young Consulting, South East Asia, and one of 37 Distinguished Graduates from the United States Naval Academy in the class of 1981. JD is a former nuclear submarine officer and the crisis response leader who helped supervise the Valdez oil spill cleanup.

Nominated as CNBC Asian CEO of the year, he was the Channel News Asia IT Person of the Week and advisor to the Singapore Prime Minister, Fortune 100 companies, members of parliament, and dignitaries around the world on industrial evolution, innovation, outsourcing, and energy policy. After retiring from the corporate world, JD shifted his focus to promoting human potential and became the founder and CEO of Essence Enterprises, where he developed a dynamic public presence as the creator, producer, and host of television and radio programs. He then promoted human potential through leadership seminars, audio programs, and books. JD is the recipient of numerous corporate, presidential, and innovation awards and he is a five-time award winning and #1 Amazon best selling author on personal development. His writing has been featured in major publications including The Chief Executive Magazine, Leadership Excellence, Texas CEO, Business Times, New Straits Times, and Far East Economic Journal.

Full Bio

JD began his professional career with an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy by the U.S. Secretary of the Navy. He became a qualified submarine officer and served on three submarines during the Cold War. In 1986 he joined Exxon and served in various executive management positions including supply, distribution, transportation, plant and fleet operations, and product pricing. As a crisis leader, he successfully supervised an 850-person team and a fleet of 125 ships and aircraft, as they cleaned over 1,000 miles of Alaskan shoreline after the Valdez oil spill.

In 1995 JD joined Ernst & Young LLP (U.S) and became managing partner for global supply chain, outsourcing and systems implementations projects. His clients included Royal Dutch Shell, Phillips Petroleum, Exxon Mobil, the Singapore Ministry of Defence, Maybank, and Wal-Mart. In 1998 he became director of the energy, chemical, and utilities industry sector for Asia and moved to Singapore, where he grew the business six fold in two years.

He then became the CEO for Ernst & Young Consulting for South East Asia, where he was responsible for all IT and management consulting services. In this capacity, he served as a key advisor on innovation and economic development for the Singapore Prime Minister’s Office as well as numerous national statutory boards and government ministries in Singapore, Malaysia, and China. During his tenure with E&Y, JD led eight corporate turnarounds, four global systems implementations, the Exxon-Mobil merger visioning, and Shell global financial outsourcing programs.

In early 2000 JD broke his neck and nearly died, causing him to reevaluate his life. After recuperating, he retired from the corporate world in 2003 and shifted his focus to promoting human potential and social entrepreneurs. He founded Essence Enterprises and trained 50,000 members of the Singapore Ministry of Defence in crisis response after 911 and and SARS. He created, produced, and hosted a hit entrepreneur television show, followed by the CNN radio program Global Evolution, which was listened to in over 100 countries.

In eleven days in May of 2012, JD wrote his first book (11DaysinMay.com) which went on to win five awards and hit #1 on Amazon in science and religion, spirituality, self-help, and personal development. Using 11 Days in May, he then created the world’s first fully interactive multi-media eBook and won the 2013 Publishing Industry Innovation of the Year Award. For the next two years he crossed the country sharing his story of success, tragedy, and awakening through several hundred events, workshops, and interviews.

JD has been married to Marianne for over thirty-eight years, has three children, and currently resides in Dallas, Texas.

"I have been working with JD for over three years.  The concepts JD and The Messinger Institute are teaching are exactly what is needed in the world today. Exactly what I needed. Working with JD, I have discovered more about myself than I would have reading 100 books. JD helped me align my passion, purpose and powers personally and professionally. If anyone is wondering what it all means, or wondering what they can bring to this world, or simply wanting to love themselves more; I highly recommend working with JD and TMI." ~ Stephen M. Lichter, founder and CEO, EAD Corporation

“You are such a blessing in my life.  Thank you, JD” ~ Mary Poteet

"JD Messinger is a brilliant mind, a creative genius who will inspire you and challenge you to awaken your soul. His genuine love and care for humanity is beyond human. His incredible gifts, talent and enthusiasm will renew your hope and faith in a higher calling. One encounter will leave you feeling blessed and forever changed. JD Messinger will be remembered as one of the world’s greatest teachers and thought leaders of modern times. It’s truly an honor to call him my friend. " ~ Jane Smiley, founder and CEO of Smiley CPA

“JD has been there and back again – a man of vast life experience who has gained perspective from life’s ups and downs, blessings and adversities, he is clearly a service-oriented person here to make a positive difference.” ~ Dan Millman, Author of 13 books that change peoples lives, including Way of the Peaceful Warrior

“JD Messinger is a remarkable, amazing person.” ~ Stephen Covey

“If you are a leader, coach, or simply looking to level up your own abilities, I highly encourage you to experience JD Messinger and his 12 Habits program. He possesses a rare composite of talents and experiences that span leading in the US military and Fortune 500 companies to practicing/teaching Eastern philosophies that will make an immediate impact in your life or the lives of those you seek to help. He is equal parts of a warrior, monk, CEO, and teacher who leads with his heart - I promise you this: if you just try the first session, you will experience results.” ~ Alden Mills, founder and CEO, Alden Mills

“JD Messinger is a rare combination of corporate visionary, spiritual teacher, and inspirational coach. If you combined one third of Tom Peters, Deepak Chopra, and Tony Robins you are staring at JD.” ~ Jim Robinson, former President of ABC Radio Networks

“You saved my life. Literally! I am eternally grateful.” ~ Anonymous

"Meeting JD Messinger and joining the Messinger Institute was game-changing for me.  I was honestly confused and scared before we met. But by learning how to operate my mind, not only did I massively accelerate my success,  (tripled my revenue), but I also became aligned with my true self. That's JD's gift, getting you aligned in and in touch with your true power." ~ Jonah Larkin, founder and CEO of Jonah Larkin

“I can’t thank you enough for all you are doing to help us achieve a purposeful life. Every time I hear you I am impressed with the depth and breath of your knowledge and understanding of who we are and what we need I am proud to know you.” ~ Joanne Baron

“Your exemplary and inspiring testament is great and well needed.” ~ Judge Louis J. Freeh, Former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

“When JD was talking it was incredible. He was talking directly to my heart! He was the most entertaining speaker and woke everyone up!” ~ Flavia Shroeder, CEO and Founder FS Language Services

“It’s really amazing how your weekly messages and tips arrive just as I need them! I just love it!” ~ Jeff Street

“JD Messinger is an exceptional speaker and teacher.  Compelled by his passion that was forged in the furnace of personal experience, JD leads us on a journey of faith and doubt, through the tunnel into the “light.”  My undergraduate students, themselves studying various theories on the nature of religion, found him mesmerizing.  He’s a true messenger-an evangelist-of reason and faith, of the unity of science and religion. In the words of Malcolm Muggeridge, JD desires to lead us out of the “theater of the absurd” into the “theater of fearful symmetry.”  One may find herself skeptical, one may find himself resistant, one may stand back in utter disbelief…but it is still no less tempting to hop on his bus!  Scholars of religion and theology, East and West, will find much to engage in JD’s work.” ~Todd Penner, Ph.D.; Gould H. and Marie Cloud Professor of Religious Studies; Austin College

“You are the most gifted and talented speaker I have ever heard.”~ Admiral, USN

“JD Messinger is one of those rare persons inspired to help change the world by reminding us all of the laws of essence and of life that Sir John Templeton encourages as so important in our times. JD, you do a spectacular job, pouring your heart and mind into a program with immense potential to really change how we live. We are all better off thanks to your vision.”~ Dr. Stephen Post, President of the Institute for Research on Unlimited Love, Professor of Bioethics, Philosophy and Religion, Case Western Reserve University

“I want to shower you with appreciation!” ~ Elaine Torres

“I have found it a great privilege to work with JD Messinger in order to help clarify some of the many misconceptions that plague our society today. Everyone, whether fundamentalist believer, atheist, or agnostic, is searching for the answers to what I have called The Four Great Questions; Who Am I, Where Did I Come From, What Should I Do, and Where Am I Going? JD Messinger’s work is helping in a very powerful way to bring enlightenment and understanding to countless numbers of people who are searching for answers to those Big Questions of life. I know the effectiveness of his work and I am proud to be associated with it.”~ Miceal Ledwith, L.Ph., L.D., D.D., LL.D. Professor of Systematic Theology, Maynooth College, Ireland, subsequently President of the University. A member of the International Theological Commission for 17 years.

“For all of eternity mankind has searched for the answers to what JD refers to as the ‘Big Questions’ – who am I, where did I come from, why am I here and where are we going? I have waited for thirty five years for a source of knowledge that helps answer these Big Questions and I want to thank JD Messinger for helping share the knowledge.”~ Uri Geller, world famous mentalist and mystifier

“Your speech was the best speech we’ve had in two years thanks to your passion and energy! Everyone loved your stories. Although you were talking to almost two hundred people, you grabbed the attention of everyone and it felt like you were talking to each of us!”~ Jim Pyle CEO, Centivity

“Your material is fantastic! I particularly enjoy the broad range of topics and information. I commend you for the fantastic and thought provoking material! When do you sleep?”~ Mike Kirshe, EVP, Global Marketing Services