Vernon Johnson

Dr. Vernon Johnson presently serves Executive Vice President of Educational Development and is a Partner of Best Associates, a Merchant Banking Firm in Dallas, Texas. Prior to this, Dr. Johnson served as Senior Vice President of Voyager Expanded Learning. Voyager is a national literacy initiative that serves over 1,000 school districts in 45 states. Prior to Voyager, Dr. Johnson also served as superintendent of the Richardson Independent School District for two years, and for seven years as superintendent of the Rochester, Minnesota Public Schools.  While superintendent in Richardson, the RISD Board of Trustees asked him to create a world-class educational program that builds upon the strong tradition of excellence the RISD has enjoyed over its history. Dr. Johnson also served as the Deputy Superintendent of the Indianapolis Public Schools and was responsible for all Instructional Support Services including Special Education, curriculum, professional development, guidance, assessment and other key instructional services district-wide.

Dr. Johnson believes that the well being of every community and nation is reliant on a quality education system.  He believes that establishing a high quality post secondary education system that is accessible to the masses is essential to the growth of the economy of every country. By working together, he believes that education, civic, business groups and parents can form coalitions and partnerships that will strengthen the schools and enhance the overall life of the community. It is through his leadership that a nationally recognized coalition, the Mayo Clinic/IBM Rochester Public Schools Math and Science Partnership, was developed to create a world-class math/science K-12 program.

His experience reflects these beliefs.  He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University, and his specialist and doctorate in school administration from Indiana University.  After beginning his career as a Speech, Hearing, Language Clinician and Assistant Director of Special Education, he moved to such positions as Deputy Superintendent for Instructional Support Services with the Indianapolis Public Schools, and in 1987 he assumed the Superintendency of Rochester Public Schools. In 1994 he was selected to lead the Richardson Independent School District in Dallas, Texas a district of 45,000+ students.

In his own personal quest for excellence, Dr. Johnson has been nominated several times as one of America’s Top 100 School Executives by the American Association of School Administrators.  He has been selected twice for the Annual Congress for Exemplary Superintendents and was selected as Indiana University’s first recipient of the Berkley Emerging Leadership Award.

Supporting his belief in community service, Dr. Johnson has actively participated in many civic organizations and activities including Rotary Club, United Way Board of Directors, the YMCA Boards, Chamber of Commerce Boards of Directors, Advisory Board of the Youth Services Council, Executive Committee of the University Interscholastic League, Region III Music, TASA study group chair and long range planning committee, and other worthy community activities and organizations.

Dr. Johnson’s wife, Julia, has served as a fifth grade teacher in the Plano Independent School District. Prior to her role in Plano, she served as a Principal in a Richardson ISD elementary school.  They have a daughter and son who are both graduated from college and working in Washington, D.C. and Dallas.