Ron Johnson ’76, Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Georgia Institute of Technology, was nominated for the prestigious Black Engineer of the Year Award (BEYA) at the 39th Annual BEYA STEM DTX Conference. This event which honors excellence in STEM will take place in Baltimore, Maryland, in February 2025, recognizing Johnson’s extraordinary career and leadership in engineering, public service, and higher education.
Johnson’s career has spanned more than three decades, during which he has demonstrated a profound commitment to excellence, diversity, and innovation. His nomination for BEYA’s top honor is a testament to his invaluable contributions to the STEM community and his leadership in initiatives that have shaped the careers of countless engineers and technologists.
Johnson’s career began with his service in the U.S. Army, where he served for 32 years, rising to the rank of Major General. During his time in the military, he held several key leadership positions, including serving as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ second-highest-ranking senior engineer staff officer and as the Director of the U.S. Army Installation Management Agency. Johnson also made significant contributions as the first Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Gulf Region Division and U.S. Deputy Director of the Program Management Office in Iraq, leading efforts to restore key systems in conflict zones and overseeing critical infrastructure projects including a $18.4 billion reconstruction program.
His transition from military service to the private and public sectors has been equally impactful. Johnson was the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) first Senior Vice President of Referee Operations, where he oversaw the officiating program for one of the world’s most visible sports leagues. His leadership in this role helped strengthen the integrity and performance of NBA, WNBA, and D-League (now G League) officials, demonstrating his capacity for strategic oversight and operational excellence.
Since joining Georgia Tech in 2013, Johnson has served as a professor of the practice in the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering. Most recently, he was appointed Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Chief of Staff, where he is responsible for advising President Ángel Cabrera on a range of executive priorities, special projects, and key initiatives aimed at advancing Georgia Tech’s mission during a period of unprecedented growth. His deep understanding of organizational leadership and commitment to fostering an inclusive environment make him a pivotal member of Georgia Tech’s Executive Leadership Team.
