F. Ross JOHNSON

1931 - 2016

JOHNSON, F. Ross
(1931 - 2016)
Get things done is an accomplishment, but getting things done right is an achievement. F. Ross Johnson compiled an impressive record of getting things done right and achieving impressive results. The business leader, who is perhaps best known for his stewardship of RJR Nabisco during the early and mid-1980's, died December 29 in Jupiter, Florida at age 85. The business environment of the 1970's and 80's -- which was characterized by competition and explosive growth -- suited Mr. Johnson's temperament. He aggressively grew the companies he directed, while dramatically increasing the value of shareholder holdings. In fact, Mr. Johnson was a pioneer in building value for shareholders, long before "increasing shareholder value" became an accepted way of measuring company performance. Ross Johnson was an innovative business risk-taker who believed that not taking risk meant stagnation. For him, the only constant in business life was change, so he kept changing and doing things in a new, better way. At the time of his death, Mr. Johnson was chairman of RJM Group, Inc., his private investment and management firm based in Atlanta. A native of Canada, he began his business career in 1952 as an accountant at Canadian General Electric, progressing through a series of finance and marketing positions. In 1964, he became vice president for merchandising with the T. Eaton Company, a major retailer. Three years later, he was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of GSW, Inc., a major Canadian appliance manufacturer. In 1971, Mr. Johnson joined Standard Brands Limited in Canada as president and CEO. Two years later, he moved to New York City as senior vice president and president of international operations with the parent company, Standard Brands, Inc. Mr. Johnson was elected president and chief operating officer of Standard Brands in 1975, and the next year was elected chairman and CEO. It was during this time that he realized Standard Brands needed to grow and that growth could come in one of three ways - internally, through acquisition, or through merger. So Mr. Johnson initiated a merger of Standard Brands with Nabisco - which when completed in 1981 created Nabisco Brands, the 52nd largest company in the country with annual sales of $6.5 billion. It was the second largest non-oil merger to that date. Mr. Johnson was named the new company's president and chief operating officer, as well as chairman of the Executive Committee. He was elected vice chairman and CEO of Nabisco Brands in 1984. In September of 1985, Nabisco Brands and RJR merged to become RJR Nabisco and Mr. Johnson was named president, chief operating officer, and a member of the Board of Directors. He was elected CEO in January, 1987 and chairman of the Executive Committee in April, 1987. Under Mr. Johnson's direction, RJR Nabisco became one of the most profitable companies in the world, with annual sales of $18 billion, 250 manufacturing plants, and 135,000 employees. In fact, between 1975 and 1989, companies led by Mr. Johnson achieved an annualized compound rate of return to shareholders of more than 22% per year. The RJR Nabisco chapter of Mr. Johnson's career was profiled in the book "Barbarians at the Gate" and in a movie of the same name. Over a period of 40 years, Mr. Johnson served on the boards of 24 companies, including such U.S.-based companies as American Express, Archer Daniels Midland, Ingersoll Rand, Wachovia as well as Canadian-based firms Noma Industries, Power Corporation of Canada and the Bank of Nova Scotia. He was an outspoken advocate on behalf of active and responsible participation by directors. Mr. Johnson was indeed active in the leadership of numerous civic and non-profit groups, notably as chairman of the New York Multiple Sclerosis Society; director of the National Multiple Sclerosis; chairman for the New York Boy's Club Hall; chairman of development for the North Carolina Zoo; and chairman of the Economic Club of New York. In the world of academics, Mr. Johnson created a Chair in Marketing at the University of Manitoba in 1984 and the F. Ross Johnson/Connaught Centre for the Study of the United States (CSUS) at the University of Toronto in 1999. He also served as professor of both marketing and finance at the University of Toronto Extension Program (1960 - 1963); vice chairman of The Foundation for the Constitution of the United States; trustee for Duke University; chairman of the Advisory Council at Columbia School of Business in New York City; chairman of the Economic Club of New York; chairman of the Phi Delta Theta Educational Foundation; and member of the President's International Alumni Council at the University of Toronto. Mr. Johnson was honored with many prestigious international awards, including the Order of Canada (O.C.) in 1986, as well as Canada's Silver Jubilee Medal; Golden Jubilee Medal; and Confederation Medal. He also received the Silver Medal of Patriotism in the U.S. and the Versailles Award in France. He was awarded the William Averell Harriman Award by the Boy's Club of New York City and the John F. Kennedy Award by the All American Golf Foundation. He was named Statesman of the Year in 1977 by the American Marketing Association. Four universities awarded Mr. Johnson honorary Doctor of Law (LL.D.) degrees: Memorial University of Newfoundland; St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia; Barry University in Miami, Florida; and the University of Manitoba. He earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1952 from the University of Manitoba and an M.B.A. in 1956 from the University of Toronto. His love for business was matched only by his love for his family. He was very close with his two sons - Neil and Bruce - both of whom live in Atlanta as well as two granddaughters - Shea and Cate - who are the children of Neil and his wife, Mary. He maintained homes in La Jolla, California and in Jupiter, Florida with his beloved wife, Susan. F. Ross Johnson was, quite simply, so good in so many ways at the business of life. The family will hold a private memorial on Saturday, January 7. In lieu of flowers the family would ask that you please consider a donation to your local Alzheimer's Association, www.alz.org.
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