Jontz began his collegiate studies at Williams College and transferred to Indiana University Bloomington, where he graduated with honors (Phi Beta Kappa) in less than three years with a degree in geology.

Despite a heavy study load, and involvement in student government and extra curricular affairs, Jontz co-founded the Indiana Public Interest Research Group as a Senior working project.

Celebrity supporters included singers Carole King,[6] Bob Weir, and Don Henley, designer Liz Claiborne, and actors Bonnie Franklin[7] and Woody Harrelson.

[citation needed] In 1990, he appeared in the press room at Farm Aid IV where he played an impromptu straight man while Arlo Guthrie made jokes.

Jontz was a progressive Democrat, which seemingly made him an odd fit for his mostly rural north central Indiana district, centering on Kokomo and Logansport.

Secondly, Jontz assembled a highly talented and dedicated staff of individuals to work with him, and later many of them-including Tom Sugar, Mike Busch, and Kathy Altman-held prominent government positions.

Following his 1994 defeat, Jontz subsequently moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1999, where he began working as Executive Director for the Western Ancient Forest Campaign.

During his tenure with WAFC, he travelled extensively around the country forming relationships with state and local forest protection groups.