Early Life
Herbert Fisk Johnson III, known as Fisk, was born on May 19, 1958, in Racine, Wisconsin. He is the son of Samuel Curtis Johnson Jr. and Imogene Powers Johnson and the great-great-grandson of Samuel Curtis Johnson, the founder of SC Johnson & Son, Inc. He received a comprehensive education from Cornell University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry and physics, a Master of Engineering, an MS in applied physics, an MBA in marketing and finance, and a Ph.D. in applied physics.
Rise to Success
Johnson joined the family business, SC Johnson & Son, Inc., in 1987 as a marketing associate. He ascended through various roles, including Managing Director of Corporate New Products and Technologies and President of the Americas, India, and Asia-Pacific. He was appointed Chairman in 2000 and CEO in 2004, becoming the fifth generation to lead the company. Under his leadership, SC Johnson has expanded its global footprint and enhanced its focus on sustainability and transparency.
Key Business Strategies
As CEO, Johnson has emphasized innovation, expanding the company's product portfolio with brands such as Glade, Windex, and OFF!. He has also spearheaded strategic initiatives in sustainability, product transparency, and community engagement. SC Johnson is a family company at work for a better world, and Johnson has emphasized the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Philanthropy
Johnson is committed to philanthropy and has contributed significantly to educational institutions and charitable causes. Notably, he and his siblings pledged $150 million to found the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University. He has also supported the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago and the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University.