J.P. Ronald is a native son of Southwestern Pennsylvania, where he currently resides with his wife and daughter. He graduated from The Ohio State University, holding a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering with an emphasis on Manufacturing Engineering. Ronald's career spans over twenty years as a Mechanical Engineer in heavy machinery, tooling, and automation design.

While a student at Ohio State, he was a member of the Navy ROTC Corps, aspiring to become a nuclear submariner. His profound love for military history and technology is deeply rooted in his family's lineage, which includes significant involvement in the United States Navy. His maternal grandfather was a commissioned Navy officer aboard the carrier USS Wasp CV-18 during World War II, and eventually retired from the reserves.