Richmond Business Leader Invests Time in Business and University

Rich Johnson grew up in Richmond’s Ginter Park neighborhood and was a paperboy for Dr. Clarence Jung, his future economics professor at the University of Richmond. Johnson graduated from the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business in 1973 with a double major in economics and finance. To this day, he enjoys visiting with Dr. Jung at various campus functions. “He’s a great guy, and I’ve always had great respect for him,” Johnson states.

For 33 years, Rich Johnson has put his business degree to good use. At the age of 24, while working for DSC Mortgage Company in Richmond, he was promoted to executive vice president of the mortgage division. During his time with DSC, Southern Title Insurance Corporation sought him out to take over as CEO and Chairman of the Board.

While attending the University of Richmond, Rich was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. “We had a good contingency from the business school who became friends,” Johnson relays. “Many of us still socialize.” In fact, one of his business partners, Rodney Poole, is a fraternity brother. Johnson, Poole and another partner bought the Wilton Companies in 2002. E. Carlton Wilton had built a substantial real estate portfolio in Richmond over the years and was interested in selling his company and retiring. Mr. Wilton has also been a generous donor to the University of Richmond.

Rich is a dedicated volunteer for his alma mater. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees, Robins School of Business Executive Advisory Council (EAC), and the fundraising committee for the expansion of the business school. “The EAC is a good sounding board for the Dean to float ideas with committee members, who serve as ambassadors to the business community. It’s a way of linking Richmond as a city and business community to the University.”

Previously, he served on the Board of Associates and Richmond Council and as President of the Business School Alumni Association. When the University combined all of the alumni associations, Johnson was a founding board member of the merged group.

In 2005, he was the only community member of the search committee for the new dean of the Robins School, Jorge Haddock. “It was different than the type of hiring that I have done in business. It was a very interesting experience. I was one of the first people Jorge met at the University which has contributed to our developing a great rapport,” Johnson said.