Jerome L. Johnson

Jerome LaMarr Johnson (born September 21, 1935) is a retired United States Navy four star admiral who served as commander of the U.S. Second Fleet, Joint Task Force 120, and NATO's Striking Fleet Atlantic from 1988 to 1990 and as Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) from 1990 to 1992. He graduated from Texas A&M University in 1956 and was the third A&M 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. From 2002 to 2004, he served as Chairman of the Board for the 385-thousand members of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

Admiral Johnson currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Smiths Detection Inc., and Smiths Interconnect Inc; Vice President and Board of Directors for Wärtsilä Defense Inc; 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.

A Texas native, Admiral Johnson attended Texas A & M 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 (VA-27), the combat stores ship USS San Jose, the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea, Carrier Group Four, the U.S. Second Fleet, and NATO’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 Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 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. The Society accomplished this mission principally through the disbursement of interest-free loans and grants. 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, DC. He was awarded a Doctor of Strategic Intelligence (honoris causa) from the DIC.

The Admiral and his wife, Joy, reside in Fort Myers, Florida. They have three adult children, five grandchildren (Sara, Kelsey, Jacob, Christopher and Katherine Joy) and four great-grandchildren (Kyla, Isabel, Hailey and Jude).