From Small-Town Roots to Personal Impact
A Foundation in Ceres
John Chipponeri’s story begins in Ceres, a small farming town in California’s Central Valley. Raised in a large Sicilian family, he learned early the value of community, perseverance, and hard work. As the youngest of four, he pushed himself to excel. For some reason, “hard work was never optional for me,” he recalls. “As far back as I can remember, I was focused on learning and performing—always striving to succeed.”
That determination carried him through the classroom and onto the athletic field. He graduated as valedictorian while earning MVP honors in football and serving as catcher and leader for his baseball team. Out of his entire class, only three students went on to college—and Chipponeri was one of them. He chose engineering at UC Berkeley. “I knew education was my way forward,” he says. “I didn’t have a roadmap, but I had determination.”
Engineering Excellence at UC Berkeley
At Berkeley, Chipponeri majored in Mechanical and Petroleum Engineering, graduating with honors in 1984. He was inducted into Tau Beta Pi, the national engineering honor society, and received the Outstanding Petroleum Engineering Student Award. The experience was about more than academics. “Berkeley taught me how to solve problems without easy answers,” he reflects. That resilience and discipline would form the foundation of his career. He topped off his education with an MBA in 1987 which enabled him to understand and dive into the business aspects throughout his career.
Three Decades at Chevron
After graduation, Chipponeri began what became a 30-year career with Chevron. Starting as a facilities engineer, he advanced through roles including Process Safety Engineer, Field Superintendent, Project Engineer, Business Manager, and Senior Project Manager. His work spanned California, Louisiana, Michigan, Indonesia, Texas, and Australia.
Over the years, he managed projects worth billions. “All projects—big or small—come down to people,” he emphasizes. “Technology and execution matters, but leadership, empowerment, collaboration and trust make all the difference.”
Among his career highlights were years spent overseas in Indonesia and Australia. “You see how culture and context shape decisions,” he explains. “Leading in Indonesia is different from leading in Houston, but the core values of respect and empowerment are the same.”
A Father and a Coach
While rising through the ranks at Chevron, Chipponeri remained deeply involved in his sons’ lives. He coached their teams from early childhood through adolescence in soccer, swimming, baseball, basketball, and flag football which established a unique and special connection with his boys.
“I wasn’t just teaching skills,” he says. “I wanted kids to feel supported, to enjoy the game, and to learn the ins and outs of the sport. Parents told me their children wanted to be on my teams because they both learned and had fun. That meant a lot.”
Both of his sons went on to become engineers and business leaders, following in their father’s footsteps.
The Challenge of Endurance
In his 40s, Chipponeri discovered endurance sports. He became a competitive triathlete, completed a dozen half-Ironman races, and topped off his open water swim career completing the 13-mile Rottnest Channel off the coast of Perth, Australia.
“Training for triathlons is like leading a project,” he says. “You have to plan, be disciplined, pace yourself, and push mindfully through the hardest parts.”
Shifting into Coaching and Personal Growth
After semi-retiring in 2017 and based in San Rafael, CA, Chipponeri shifted his own drive to perform into a focus toward supporting others in their own journey of self development, growth and performance.coaching and personal development in support of growth and performance in . He immersed himself in the Enneagram, a framework for growth, and began coaching in swimming, triathlon and pickleball. Now he is focusing on teaching the Enneagram in support of self-discovery and growth.
He has also become deeply engaged in men’s work, forming bonds that emphasize accountability, authenticity, and purpose. “Men need spaces where they can be honest, understood, and supported,” he explains. “It’s about connection, healing, and growth.”
Today, he is completing his Narrative Enneagram Teacher Certification and plans to integrate this with his men’s groups and coaching practices.
Life Beyond Work
Chipponeri’s life remains well-rounded. He practices yoga, hikes, bikes, and plays pickleball regularly. Spiritually, he draws on Western Sufism. Inner work and self-reflection continue to guide him.
“With age, my values have evolved,” he says. “Seeing, knowing, and loving oneself allows one to truly show up for others in a kind and supportive way.”
Lessons from a Life of Growth
Looking back, Chipponeri sees a consistent thread. His engineering career provided technical depth, business acumen, and global experience. His coaching and mentoring now allow him to share those lessons to help others be their best selves.
“Leadership isn’t about titles,” he says. “It’s about creating trust, building teams, and helping people know that they matter.”
Founder Dinis Guarda
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