In 19 years as an aeronautical engineer for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, John Graham poured meticulous planning into heat transfer studies and tests supporting the United States Polaris and Titan Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles.

His pursuit of perfection continued as Flight Operations Manager for Project Viking, the country's early effort to land a vehicle on the planet Mars. Recovery of the Project Mercury Astronauts and space craft splashdown -- a matter of life or death -- hinged upon precision planning.

Turning to the business world, Graham owned and operated seafood processing plants in Hampton, Virginia. Again, details were essential for success.

When his sons began to wrestle, Graham's talent for planning and details, together with his new interest in the sport of wrestling, produced smoothly run, spectator-friendly tournaments. In 1981, Graham started the storied Virginia Duals and set a precedent in American tournaments. He was the "Founding Father," and three times the director for college wrestling's national team championships, the Cliff Keen National Duals.

Graham served as the Team Leader for the 1988 and 1996 Olympic Teams as well as the Team Leader for four USA Freestyle World Teams and the Pan American Team. He has also been a Wrestling Hall of Fame board member for six years.

In his desire to develop the Peninsula Wrestling Association, to see more youth wrestling, to better collegiate competition and to provide strong international leadership, Graham has done what an innovator does best, he paid attention to ideas and details.