The Arizona Beta Chapter of
Sigma Phi Epsilon
The University of Arizona
John pledged Sigma Phi Epsilon in 1966 and graduated from the University of Arizona with a BS in Agriculture in 1971 With Highest Distinction. He also earned a Juris Doctor Degree from University of Arizona in 1976 With Highest Distinction.
As an undergraduate, he served the chapter as President from 1970-71. He was member of the Phi Eta Sigma, Sophos, Chain Gang, Blue Key, and Bobcats Honoraries. He also served as FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) National Vice President in 1967-68 and President of Bobcats in 1970-71. He received the Freeman Medal as an outstanding graduate.
John is a Judge for Arizona Court of Appeals. After graduation, he served as an officer on active duty with the US Navy for approximately two years, until he returned to the U of A for law school from 1973-76. From 1976 until 2001, he practiced law as a trial lawyer in Phoenix. In 2001, he was miraculously appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, in Phoenix, Arizona.
His law practice focused on personal injury, product liability, insurance coverage, and commercial litigation. He practiced with a medium-size firm known during most of his years as Teilborg, Sanders & Parks, P.C. He served in various leadership positions within the firm, including as President. He also served on the Management Committee and the Compensation Committee.
During his 11+ years on the Court of Appeals, he was elected by his peers to serve as Vice Chief Judge of Division One from 2003 to 2006 and as Chief Judge from 2006 to 2008. He has also served on the Commission on Judicial Conduct, Commission on Technology, and Arizona Judicial Council. He is a former member of the Council of Chief Judges of State Courts of Appeals.
John’s community and church activities have included service as a member of the Board of Directors, Christian Family Care Agency, 1991 to 1997; Chairman, Board of Elders, Moon Valley Community Church, 1997 to 2001; and Chairman, Board of Elders, of the successor church known as Moon Valley Bible Church, 2001 to 2004. He was a member of 12-man mission team from his church that traveled to Pass Christian, Mississippi, for Hurricane Katrina recovery work, in April 2008.
In addition, he was a member of the leadership team for a Christian justice mission in Eastern Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) in July 2010. The team prepared for and participated in a conference in Beni, North Kivu Province, DRC, of lawyers, judges, and government officials, at which Congolese problems were discussed and addressed by the attendees, including such issues as sexual assaults and violence, protection of children, corruption and bribery, independence of the judiciary, need for land reform, and the rule of law. The conference took place on the campus of the Universite Chretienne Bilingue Du Congo (UCBC) / Christian Bilingual University of Congo. They are planning a similar conference in Eastern Congo in April 2013.
John received the University of Arizona College of Law Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2007 and University of Arizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Achievement Award in 2008.
He is married to Linda and together they have two daughters and two grandchildren. His brother Mark Gemmill ’68 is also an Arizona Beta and part of last year’s inaugural Hall of Fame inductee class.
When asked about what Arizona Beta and Sig Ep means to him John says, “Relationships! I am very grateful for the relationships established during my undergraduate years. I am also grateful for the opportunities provided to learn from others and to develop leadership capabilities.”