John Phoenix is an agent with the CIA.
He is an operative with considerable experience in his craft having done it for numerous years before we encounter him. Prior to his taking a position with the Agency, Phoenix had served with distinction in the U.S. Army, earning the right to call himself a Ranger and then moving over to become a Green Beret. His time in the Service took him to both Iraq and Afghanistan and likely other places he and we are not supposed to talk about.
When we do start to follow his activities working for Langley, we find him in South America, Venezuela to be exact. Although Phoenix was born and raised in Texas, his mother hailed from the nation of Columbia and bequeathed to Phoenix darkish skin coloring and a native grasp of Spanish with sufficient enough accent that he is able to blend in well while operating in and around Caracas.
As time passes, Phoenix will find it beneficial for his continued health to get out of that volatile country. Unfortunately, he is so experienced there and so good at his job, his bosses keep pushing him to go back yet again. If that wasn't dangerous enough, Phoenix will come to learn the hard way that there is an individual with the covername of Dragonfly who seems to have extra-special desire to see harm come to Phoenix.
Playing a very important role in Phoenix's life and career is Lesley Connelly, a fellow operative who has been rising up the food chain at the Agency. Phoenix's handler and case officer, she and he also shared a brief period as lovers some years before but while Phoenix preferred to stay in the field - and not be forced to wear a stifling coat and tie - she had her eyes firmly on the Seventh Floor. Their ending of their intimate relationship did not stop them from continuing to have deep affection for each other.