Education
He graduated from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1956 and was the third Agricultural and Mechanical graduate to reach a 4 star rank.
He graduated from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical University in 1956 and was the third Agricultural and Mechanical graduate to reach a 4 star rank.
Admiral Jerry Johnson serves as a Director or Trustee on several Corporate Boards and non-profit organizations. He has extensive experience in government service, defense related industries, financial services, and National Defense Security Programs. Admiral Johnson currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Smiths Detection Incorporated., and Smiths Interconnect Incorporated.
Vice President and Board of Directors for Wärtsilä Defense Incorporated.
Trustee for the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. And the Board of Advisors for the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs.
Early Life and A Texas native, Admiral Johnson attended Texas Advertising & Marketing University before entering the Naval Aviation Cadet Program. Commissioned and designated a Naval Aviator, he served on active duty for almost 38 years.
At sea he commanded Attack Squadron Twenty-Seven (Virginia-27), the combat stores ship United States Ship San Jose, the aircraft carrier United States Ship Coral Sea, Carrier Group Four, the United States. Second Fleet, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Striking Fleet Atlantic.
His final assignment was the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. Prior to his retirement from active service, he was also designated as Navy’s “Gray Eagle,” the longest-serving Naval Aviator on active duty. After his military career, Admiral Johnson was selected to serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the, a 100-year-old non-profit charitable organization that provides financial, educational, and other assistance to active-duty and retired Sailors, Marines, and their eligible family members.
With a small professional staff, the Society supports more than 3,000 volunteers who man nearly 250 offices world-wide, both afloat and ashore.
During his service, the Society disbursed over $670 million in interest-free loans, grants, and tuition assistance for naval service families. Admiral Johnson retired form this organization in June 2003.
Admiral Johnson is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California and The Defense Intelligence College in Washington, District of Columbia. He was awarded a Doctor of Strategic Intelligence (honoris causa) from the Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.
From 2002 to 2004, he served as Chairman of the Board for the 385-thousand members of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).