1st Lt. Jon Romu

Jon Romu was born in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in December 1973, and is the eldest of two children. He was raised in the small hamlet of Stanley, Ontario, where he attended Kakabeka Falls District Public School before graduating from Fort William Collegiate Institute in Thunder Bay.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Jon developed a passion for football and hockey during his school years. Although he received several scholarship offers to play football, he chose to attend Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and an Honours Bachelor of Science in Physiology. While at Lakehead, he played junior football for the Thunder Bay Giants and Thunder Bay Storm.

In 1996, Jon moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to play football for the University of Manitoba Bisons. He became a four-year starter on the Bison offensive line and earned Academic All-Canadian honours all five years, maintaining a GPA above 3.5. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in General Science and a Bachelor of Education in Senior Years.

After receiving several letters from Canadian Football League teams indicating that his size would prevent him from playing professionally, Jon began his teaching career in 2001. He has spent more than two decades as a science educator and currently teaches Grade 9 and 10 Science, Grade 11 Physics, and Grade 11 and 12 Biology. He also enjoyed a long coaching career, spending 19 years coaching football and leading his teams to two championships. He later switched to baseball and has coached his high school baseball team for several years.

Jon married Tracy Robinson in June 2001. Together, they have two children, Leah, born in 2006, and JT, born in 2010. Outside the classroom, Jon has remained active in his community through leadership roles with the Winnipeg Teachers' Association, the Winnipeg South Baseball Association, and the Valedictorian Selection Committee. He is also a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal.

Jon's journey into whisky began with his natural curiosity and his lifelong passion for learning. In October 2025, he started Whiskey University and earned his Whisky Diploma because he wanted to better understand the many types of whisky, the history behind the spirit, and the traditions that have shaped it around the world. Away from work and family, Jon enjoys fishing, sports, miniature painting, and, increasingly, exploring the world of whisky.

As a Canadian, he was particularly interested in learning more about Canadian whisky and discovering how it compares with whiskies produced in other countries. In March of 2026 Romu earned his Associate Degree from Whiskey University earning the title Certified Whiskey Taster and becoming an official Alumni of the school.

For Jon, Whiskey University represents another chapter in a lifelong commitment to learning. It is an opportunity to explore the history, craftsmanship, culture, and unique character of whisky while sharing that journey with others who appreciate the spirit as much as he does. Jon also became interested in Whisky from other countries and in September 2026 he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Whiskey University earning the title of a Master Whiskey Taster with a Double Major in the Bourbon Capital Region and World Whisky.

Email address: JonRomu44@WhiskeyUniv.com