Elliott H. Johnson Sr
Mr. Johnson, an alumna of Howard University’s School of Business received his BS/ MBA in 1977 and started his professional life with the City of Chicago. Enjoying a successful eight-year career with the City of Chicago, his positions involved managing various city departments within the Mayor’s office. He was responsible for monitoring and developing departmental operations, administrative procedures and the fiscal accountability of city departments and non-profit organizations, including the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Jewish Federation and the Woodlawn Organization.
In 1985, Mr. Johnson transitioned to positions in three of the top five major breweries in America. Over the next eleven years, his sales and leadership roles included National Sales Director and Sr. VP Sales and Marketing for the Miller Brewing Company; Regional VP of Sales and Marketing for the Coors Brewing Company; and Sr. Exec VP of Sales and Marketing for G. Heileman/Stroh Brewery.
In 1996, Mr. Johnson retired from the malt beverage industry to be Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Southeastern Medical Centers, S.C., a 45 year old family owned business of which he still retains ownership. He is also the co-founder of Heyward & Johnson LLC., a 26 year old full service management services organization, of which Mr. Johnson is the current President and Chief Executive Officer.
Elliott Johnson is a result-oriented, accomplished, well respected philanthropist, entrepreneur and business owner, with a vast network of relationships within the United States. Serving as a Marketing and Business Development Consultant for several firms across industries, he provides sound expertise to municipalities, educational institutions, information technology, commercial real estate, banking, engineering, newspaper, beverage, health care and non-profit organizations.
He enjoys a strong network of political relationships on both the local and national levels. Mr. Johnson served on the National Board of Advisors for the Democratic Leadership Council. He currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Howard University School of Business, Institute for Entrepreneurship, Leadership and Innovation (ELI) marketing Department and Executive MBA program. He also serves as a Senior Advisor to Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Mr. Johnson serves as an Advisor to The American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity in Health Care Management and he currently serves on the Board of Advisors for Governor State University’s Executive Advisory Council. Mr. Johnson also serves as a Sr. Advisor to The National School Board Association.
Mr. Johnson is a thought leader with subject matter expertise who understands the value of entrepreneurship and innovation in the areas of economic development, technology, education and health care. This expertise led to his appointment by the Obama administration as an Advisor to the National Foreign Trade Council and an Advisor to the Beiden/Harris Administration’s Faith and Community Partnership Initiative.
In the area of philanthropy, Mr. Johnson served as the Vice President of Development for the 100 Black Men of America, Inc., Chicago chapter; as Founder and Chairman of the Education Foundation for Elementary School District 159; as Chairman of the Board for the South Suburban region of the Chicago Metropolitan YMCA and as Chairman of the Board of the Iron Oaks Foundation. He is on the Board of Directors for the Marian Catholic High School Leadership Council and the St. James Community Foundation. Mr. Johnson served as the President of the Board of Directors for The South/South West Suburban Region of The United Way. Mr. Johnson serves as an Ambassador to The Urban Ministries Inc, the Vice President of Strategic Development for The Evangelical Training Association and the Vice President of church Relations for The Urban Outreach Foundation. Mr. Johnson attended The McCormick Theological Seminary and earned a Masters/Doctorate degree in The Art of 21st Century Urban Ministry. Mr. Johnson is also the Vice Chairman of the Howard University School of Divinity.
Mr. Johnson continues as an active resident of the Matteson community for 35 years. He was involved with the Boy Scouts, served as Elementary School District 159 school board President and a former Planning and Zoning Commissioner for the Village of Matteson. Mr. Johnson served as an advisor to the Village of Matteson, the Village of Park Forest, the Village of Hazel Crest, Village of Olympia Fields, The City of Los Angeles, Charlotte, Dallas, Sacramento and Washington, D.C. for their Economic Development and Community Development Programs. He currently serves as a Trustee for the Rich Township Government and President of The Township Officials of Cook County. Mr. Johnson currently resides in Matteson Illinois and has been married for 40 years to Hope Heyward Johnson, Retired Chief Virologist for WHO, CDC and The State of Illinois Dept of Health and he has two children Aja’ and Elliott III who are also graduates of Howard University.