Ronald L. Johnson '76, retired 2-Star Army General and graduate of the Stewart School of Industrial & Systems Engineering (ISyE), has accepted a joint appointment at Georgia Tech. He will serve as a Professor of Practice in ISyE, and the Managing Director of the Tennenbaum Institute (TI).
The Tennenbaum Institute, the first multi-disciplinary center of its kind, uniting academic, government, and corporate experts to create industry-shaping business models to deal with real, large-scale enterprise transformation, is an integral part of Georgia Tech's Institute for People and Technology (IPaT). In Johnson's role as TI Managing Director and member of IPaT's leadership team, he will provide overall administrative oversight for TI as well as engage and expand relationships with industry and government partners to provide knowledge and skills for enterprise transformation, engage in research and economic development, and coordinate with other Georgia Tech Interdisciplinary Research Institutes and their staff.
As a Professor of the Practice in ISyE, Johnson will use his substantial experience and extensive background to assist the school in identifying teaching and research opportunities that support the public interest and societal needs. He will teach a couple of courses, advise students, and work with faculty on projects and research.
Johnson is well equipped to fulfill both roles. He received his bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and his master's in operations research from ISyE in 1985. Most recently, Johnson served as the National Basketball Association's (NBA) first Senior Vice President of Referee Operations from July 2008 until July 2012.