Chris A Johnson ventura.chris@yahoo.com
CHRIS A JOHNSON
1194 Kingston Lane
Mobile
805-585-9951
Ventura, CA 93001
ventura.chris@yahoo.com
www.chrisajohnsonllc.com
LinkedIn Profile:
www.linkedin.com/in/crisart
CAREER PROFILE
Executive management professional with over 25 years of leadership for profit and non-profit
organizations. Experience includes over 60 million dollars in venture and program support
fundraising. Interpersonal communication, research, team building, strategic planning, crisis
management, creative abilities and strong negotiating skills are a few of the attributes most of
my employers, staff, volunteers and clients, compliment.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
WOODCRAFT RANGERS, Greater Los Angeles, CA
Interim Chief Executive Officer
With a history dating back to 1922, Woodcraft Rangers brings unparalleled experience to the
field of youth development, education, and enrichment programs. Programs and services promote
self-discovery and achievement in school and in life through experiences that engage imagination,
stimulate thinking, uncover talents, and reveal potential.
Corrected challenges and created positive environment, internally and externally after departure
of troubled exec for 13 million dollar agency. Stabilized staff, managed internal business and
financial audit, and grew and revitalized board of directors. Responsible for developing transition
and search teams. Contract through March of 2012.
NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION, Southern CA and Southern NV
Division President
The nation’s largest organization dedicated to eradicating kidney disease and encouraging organ
donation. Largest division in system, serving of over 2.4M people
Increased revenue by 30% in first six months through revitalized strategic plan and revamped
Chris A Johnson ventura.chris@yahoo.com
special event, corporate partnership and major gift initiatives.
Reduced operating costs by 12% while increasing service delivery by 25%.
AMERICAN RED CROSS, Gold Coast Region, Ventura, CA
Regional Chief Executive Officer
Number one service delivery brand in the world providing over $3Bn a year in aid after disasters,
the nations leading lifesaving skills training and largest provider of blood products in the U.S.
Gold Coast Region consists of seven chapters including all counties from Ventura to Santa Cruz
delivering over $13M of service annually.
Spearheaded development of innovative protocols to reduce overhead by 10% while increasing
programs, services and development opportunities by 8%. Collaborative model became benchmark
for national Red Cross.
Chris A Johnson ventura.chris@yahoo.com
AMERICAN RED CROSS, Pacific Region, Sacramento, CA
Communications and Government Relations Officer
Newly created Red Cross headquarters arm providing leadership, direction and support to 45
chapters in California, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands
Directed $2M Red Cross component of collaborative between Governor’s office, Vons/Safeway
stores and State Emergency Management during launch of First Lady’s Preparedness campaign.
Orchestrated messaging of over 150 media outlets and countless politicians and dignitaries during
highly visible Katrina transfer of survivors from New Orleans to shelter at Astrodome.
Increased chapter fundraising results nationally by over $15M through Special Event Strategic
Plan.
AMERICAN RED CROSS, Bay Area Chapter, San Francisco, CA
Chief Development/Communications Officer
Second largest Red Cross chapter in the country with a budget in excess of $24M
Driving Force behind Red Cross’s first interactive, web-based tool for educating community on
disaster preparedness, Over 15,000 hits in first month.
Supervised over 100 high net worth, high profile individuals in new lobbying effort at state
capital on disaster preparedness and life-saving training legislation.
AMERICAN RED CROSS, Pikes Peak Chapter, Colorado Springs, CO
Communications/Development Director
Orchestrated one-day fundraising event collecting over $750,000, largest per capita in the
country, supporting Red Cross efforts after 9/11. Largest single contribution was only $5,000.
Created Media Advisory Board to assist in information dissemination after disasters. Over
$150,000 in annual in-kind placements a result of good will established through board.
POLLACK NORMAN ADVERTISING, Denver, CO
Vice President
Full service $26M national advertising agency whose client base included health, non-profit, high
tech, telecommunications, business to business and consumer
Chris A Johnson ventura.chris@yahoo.com
Increased client base by 20% in first six months.
Initiated 15% cost reduction plan resulting in reduction in overhead while still allowing for
customer growth and increased quality.
HEIDRICK AG HISTORY CENTER, Woodland, CA
Founding Executive Director
One of a kind $5M, 150,000 square foot, 501(c) (3) attraction devoted to the history of
California agriculture conceived and opened in just 18 months
Created $3M 10-month “Community Campaign” attracting 7 new high net worth board
members.
Chris A Johnson ventura.chris@yahoo.com
THE NUT TREE, Nut Tree, CA
Marketing/Design Director
75-year-old historical California attraction welcoming over 2.3M visitors per year
Orchestrated 15% increase in traffic in first six months, after implementation of marketing plan.
Increased attendance from 60,000 to over 185,000 at October two weekend event raising over
$1M for local charities, and resulted in highest October sales in history of Nut Tree.
Developed $2M product placement strategy for Nut Tree ice cream product in all Northern CA
Raley’s grocery stores and independent super markets.
MARINE WORLD AFRICA USA, Vallejo, CA
Marketing/Creative Director
120 acre Northern California animal "edu-tainment" park, welcoming 1.8 million visitors annually
Master minded strategy for 32% attendance growth in 1992, best in the United States.
Spearheaded “Shark Experience”, a $3M walk-through educational aquarium whose popularity
exceeded similar attraction built same year at Sea World San Diego for twice the cost.
CHRIS JOHNSON DESIGN, Newark, CA
Principal
Full service 6-person Advertising, Promotion and Public Relations firm in San Francisco Bay area
focusing primarily on hospitality, health and tourism clients
Increased annual revenue 1,500% over a two-year period to over $2.5M.
Successfully grew from 3 clients to 23 in two years, motivated staff of 6 and never lost a
client.
EDUCATION
American River College, Sacramento, CA
CSU, Sacramento - Majoring in Business and Communications
CSU, San Francisco - Post Graduate Courses, Film & Television production
Chris A Johnson ventura.chris@yahoo.com
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Member – PRSA (Public Relations Society of America)
Member – AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals)
Board Member – Cities of Dixon, Vacaville and Newark Chambers of Commerce
Board Member – Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado
Board Member – Teen Court
Board Member - CASA
Board Member – Junior Achievement
Commissioner - Cities of Newark, Benicia and Dixon Planning Commissions
Government Liaison – District 14, American Advertising Federation (AAF)