John Himics

John Himics is the president and co-founder of First Ascent, a full-service digital agency specializing in branding, web design and development, graphic design, and digital marketing. With over a decade of experience leading cross-disciplinary teams, John brings a rare mix of engineering precision, business strategy, and creative problem-solving to every project.

He started his career as a Manufacturing Technology Engineer at DuPont, where he led process improvements, expanded production capacity, and used large-scale data analysis to drive smarter decisions on the plant floor. That same systems-first approach is baked into First Ascent’s philosophy: create repeatable processes, build scalable solutions, and help clients grow with clarity and confidence.

A lifelong rock climber, John approaches business the same way he approaches a route. He brings focus, adaptability, and calm under pressure, helping clients navigate complex challenges with confidence. At First Ascent, he leads teams of designers, developers, and marketers to deliver results that are strategic, efficient, and built to last.

In addition to his role at First Ascent, John serves as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Delaware’s Horn Entrepreneurship program. He also sits on Delaware Technical College’s Business Advisory Board, is a board member of Trauma Matters Delaware and the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, and a board member at the Caesar Rodney Rotary.

Fun fact: John wrote his first lines of code at age nine, building a Blackjack game in Java.