Robert Johnson, D., CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Before announcing his retirement from DAE effective Aug. 1, 2008, Bob Johnson served as chief Executive Officer from August 2006 for two years for Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), a global aerospace manufacturing and services corporation. Based in Dubai, DAE established subsidiaries in six key sectors spanning from research and development to manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul, aircraft leasing, and aerospace services.
Mr. Johnson, 65, previously served as Chairman of Honeywell Aerospace, the world's largest supplier of aircraft engines, equipment, systems and services for commercial transport, regional, general aviation and military aircraft, until his retirement in 2006. Prior to that role, he was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Honeywell Aerospace.
Prior to becoming CEO of Aerospace, Mr. Johnson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of AlliedSignal Aerospace. Earlier, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of AlliedSignal Electronic & Avionics Systems.
He joined AlliedSignal in July 1994 as Vice President and General Manager of Global Repair and Overhaul Operations. In 1996, he was named Vice President and General Manager of Aerospace Services, which included oversight of repair and overhaul, commercial spares and military customer support activities. Before joining AlliedSignal, Johnson was Vice President and General Manager of Manufacturing and Services for AAR Corporation, an aviation company with headquarters in Chicago.
He began his career at GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE) and spent 12 years in key financial management positions before a second 12 years in operations. In 1983, he was appointed President and Managing Director of the GE Aircraft Engine’s high-technology repair business in Singapore. He later served as General Manager of GE's global Field Service Engineering team and GE's global Engine Services business.
In 2005, Mr. Johnson had the honor of serving as Chairman of the Aerospace Industries Association and was a longstanding member of the Board of the Aviation Safety Alliance
In 2007, he was named International Executive of the Year by Miami University and the Farmer School of Business. He is a member of both the Board of Directors and Trustees of Arizona State University Foundation; a member of Conquistadores Del Cielo, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, a board member of the Drug Free Arizona Organization and the Valley of the Sun United Way Foundation.
He is a member of four corporate boards: Roper Industries, Spirit AeroSystems (as Chairman), Beechcraft (as Chairman) and Spirit Airlines. A native of Zanesville, Ohio, he is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio. His book, 'Developing Global Leaders', was published in 2012.