James A. Johnson, director of program management for Kellogg Brown & Root’s Government and Infrastructure Unit, has been selected to receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering
Johnson graduated from the School of Engineering in 1963 with a degree in civil engineering. After earning a master of science in civil engineering from the University of Illinois in 1965, he returned to Vanderbilt to earn a doctorate in civil engineering in 1972.
A licensed professional engineer, Johnson began his professional engineering career with Turner Collie & Braden in Houston in 1970. His project experience included the planning and design of airports and aviation facilities, highways and bridges and community development in the United States, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
He served in the U. S. Army in Panama, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia and Vietnam. For his Army service, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation.
In 1989, Johnson joined Brown & Root where he has helped develop the firm’s civil engineering business.
The School of Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award recognizes distinguished achievement, significant service, excellent character, and a reputation that reflects well on the School. The honoree is chosen from nominations submitted by the Engineering Alumni Council and the faculty of the School of Engineering. As a Distinguished Alumnus, Johnson becomes a member of the School of Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni.
Johnson has contributed to the School of Engineering in a number of capacities including serving as president of the Engineering Alumni Council and as member of the Committee of Visitors and the External Advisory Committee of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Johnson represents the School on the Board of Directors of the Vanderbilt Alumni Association.
In Houston, Johnson serves on the Board of Advisors of the College of Science and Technology of Texas Southern University. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the United States Field Hockey Association. He has also served as Junior Warden at St. Francis Episcopal Church and President of the Board of Trustees of St. Francis Episcopal Day School.