Roger W. Johnson, the first Republican appointed to a top post in the Clinton Administration, was sworn in as the Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) in 1993. As the number one official at GSA, Mr. Johnson directs all functions assigned to this independent agency of the executive branch that employs some 20,000 people, has an annual budget of $14 billion and financial responsibility of $60 billion.
On the occasion of Mr. Johnson receiving an Honorary Doctorate degree from Clarkson University, President Clinton said, "Roger has brought the skills he developed so well in the private sector to his outstanding work at GSA, helping us to improve the way our government works...He has truly used his success to benefit others and I thank him for a job well done." Because of Mr. Johnson's extensive background in reinventing large, complex, global organizations, President Clinton depends on him to create positive change at GSA and deliver to the American taxpayers an agency that is viewed as the world's standard of excellence.
Created in 1949, GSA sets federal policy in the areas of information technology, telecommunications and automated data processing, supply and service procurement, and real property management acquisition. The agency also manages governmentwide operations in building construction, leasing and management; motor vehicle, travel and transportation management and property disposal.
Prior to coming to Washington, Mr. Johnson was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Western Digital Corporation, a Fortune 500 high-technology firm based in Irvine, California. He joined Western Digital in 1982 as president and chief operating officer; was named to the Board of Directors in 1983; and, shortly after, was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation. In 1984, he was elected Chairman of the Board. Before his work at Western Digital, Mr. Johnson was president of the Office Systems Group of Burroughs Corporation and executive vice president and chief operating officer of Measurex Corporation. Additionally, he has held executive positions with Memorex Corporation, the Business Machines Division of the Singer Company, and the General Electric Company.
Mr. Johnson was Vice chair of Economic Issues for the American Business Conference, a Washington D.C. based organization consisting of 100 chief executives of the fastest growing, midsize companies in the nation. He also served on the Board of Directors of AmeraCorp Communities; American Stock Exchange; Pacific Scientific Company; American Woman's Economic Development Corporation; and Quintec Industries, Inc.; and is a member of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Orange County.
Mr. Johnson has been acclaimed for his personal and professional accomplishments as well as his involvement in many art and philanthropic organizations. He served on the board of directors for the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and was Vice Chair of the Orange County Performing Arts Center; Chairman of the University of California at Irvine (UCI) Foundation Board of Overseers; and a founding member of UCI's Chief Executive Roundtable.
Also, in recognition of their significant contributions, Mr. Johnson and his wife, Janice, have been the recipients of many awards including the prestigious "Living is Giving" Award from the Volunteers of America Association.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Mr. Johnson received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York, in 1956, and holds a Master of Business Administration degree in Industrial Management from the University of Massachusetts. In addition, he was the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Science degree from Clarkson University in 1994 and the Irvine Medal from the University of California at Irvine in 1990.