
James R. Johnson is retired as a laboratory director and executive scientist for the 3M Company. He received his Ph.D. in ceramic engineering from The Ohio State University and an honorary doctorate of science from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Johnson has served in various roles at the University of Minnesota and UW-Stout, as well as on advisory boards at several engineering colleges. A pioneer in materials science and engineering, he has 30 U.S. patents and numerous technical publications. Johnson served as president of the Wisconsin Academy Council in 1988 and on the Wisconsin Academy Foundation from 1992-1998.
Johnson passed away in October of 2019.