William R. Johnson
Born
Palo Alto, California
EducationUniversity of California, Los Angeles
McCombs School of Business
Known forCEO and chairman, H. J. Heinz
Board member of
SpouseSusie Johnson
Children2
Parent

William R. Johnson is an American businessman and is the former president, CEO and chairman of H. J. Heinz.[1]

Early life and education

Johnson was born and grew up in Palo Alto.[2] He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.[3] Later, he moved to Austin, Texas to attend the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, from which he received a master's degree in Business Administration in 1974.[4]

Career

In his early career, Johnson held management positions at Drackett, Ralston Purina, and Anderson-Clayton Foods before joining Heinz in 1982 as general manager of new business.[2]

In 1988, as president and CEO, Johnson turned around the poorly performing Heinz Pet Products. In 1992, he did the same thing at the highly visible Starkist Foods.[5] In 1993 he was named senior vice president and director, in 1996 president and COO, and in 1998, named president and CEO. In 2000, he was named chairman of the board of directors.[6]

In March 2015, Johnson joined the board of PepsiCo.[7] On February 11, 2009, the board of directors of UPS elected William R. Johnson as an independent director of the company.[8]

Personal life

Johnson married Susie in 1974 and they have two children.[9]

He credits his father, Bill "Tiger" Johnson, with instilling him with a fiercely competitive spirit and a passionate desire to win. Johnson also learned motivation from his father and other coaches. In the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he told reporter Patricia Sabatini that, "Some people need to be handled gently. Other people you can kick in the rear end" (May 18, 1998).[10]

References

  1. ^ "Heinz - William R. Johnson". Retrieved 2011-04-26.
  2. ^ a b Baker, Stephen (4 November 1996). "The Odd Couple At Heinz". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  3. ^ "Board of Directors - Neighborhood Health Clinic, Inc". Neighborhood Health Clinic. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  4. ^ Leahy, Cory (29 October 2007). "McCombs Hall of Fame Inducts Four Prominent Leaders". UT News. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  5. ^ Stanford, Duane (5 March 2013). "Heinz CEO Johnson Would Get $200 Million in Post-Berkshire Exit". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  6. ^ Spencer, Malia (22 February 2013). "Heinz's Johnson not finished yet". www.bizjournals.com. Pittsburgh Business Times. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  7. ^ Gough, Peter (19 January 2015). "Former Heinz CEO named to board of PepsiCo". www.bizjournals.com. Pittsburgh Business Times. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  8. ^ "Heinz chairman named to UPS board". www.bizjournals.com. Atlanta Business Chronicle. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  9. ^ Buckman, John (20 August 2007). "Heinz CEO: Bill Johnson". Pittsburgh Quarterly. Pittsburgh Quarterly. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  10. ^ Dudley, Renee; Hymowitz, Carol; Patton, Leslie (15 February 2013). "Heinz CEO Johnson May Reap $100 Million From Buyout". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
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