Jim Johnson
Blacksburg Rotary Club

Jim Johnson was president of our Rotary club during 1981-1982 and was a charter member.

Jim was born in Washington, DC and grew up on family farm in Manassas, VA.  He is married to Janet M. Johnson.  They have two grown children.  As a youth, Jim was active in 4-H and spent 6 months in Italy with the International Farm Youth Exchange Program in 1958 staying with 15 different farm families

Jim graduated from Virginia Tech (VPI then) 1956-1961 and was a member of the Corps of Cadets.  He earned his B.S. in Animal Husbandry, his M.S. in Extension Education, and his Ed.D. in Adult & Community College Education with a minor in Sociology (from North Carolina State University).  Jim served in the U.S. Army as an infantry Officer and then the Army Reserve.

He worked in Virginia Cooperative Extension Service during his career, culminating in a 20-year stint in Blacksburg before his retirement in 1992.  His final three years were as head of the organization.

Jim has served on a variety of committees in our club, becoming more active at the district level in recent years.  His wife Janet will serve as District Governor 2011-2012, so Jim will serve as a supportive spouse.   Janet is a member of the Christiansburg – Blacksburg club. 

About his service as president, he said, “When I was president we were struggling to find a good community service project, a good fund raising project and a good way to involve spouses.  The club has always tended to grow because of the tradition of good programs and great people.   We have not been as successful at fund raising and involving our spouses.”

He added, “My life objective is to make a significant contribution to my community.”

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