Early Life and Family Background
S. Curtis Johnson was born in Racine, Wisconsin, in 1955. He is the son of Samuel Curtis Johnson Jr., who led S.C. Johnson & Son as its fourth-generation chief executive. His upbringing was marked by the affluence of the Johnson family, residing in the Wind Point area near Racine.
Rise to Success
After earning a B.A. in economics from Cornell University and an MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, S. Curtis Johnson co-founded Wind Point Partners, a private equity firm, in 1983. The firm has raised $4.9 billion across nine funds. He also held the position of chairman of Diversey, Inc., a family-associated industrial cleaning company.
Key Business Strategies
Johnson's career involved various leadership positions within S.C. Johnson & Son and entrepreneurial pursuits in the energy sector. He served as chairman of Diversey, Inc. and has been on the board of directors of Cargill, Inc. and the World Wildlife Fund.
Philanthropy
In 2017, S. Curtis Johnson and his siblings pledged $150 million to Cornell University to support the SC Johnson College of Business. He has also been involved in supporting other philanthropic initiatives. His father, Samuel Curtis Johnson Jr., greatly contributed to education, better health, and greater opportunities for his community and around the world.