Executives Spotlight stories appeared on this website starting in 2001. Some of the executive's professional experience may have changed since they were published.

Executive Spotlight - January 27, 2009

Steve Johnson

former President/CEO, Champ Car World Series

There was a merger last year. And there were layoffs. Perhaps we've forgotten about it because this preceded the many mergers and layoffs we all see scattered across the front page headlines. Champ Car, or to many, Championship Auto Racing Teams, merged with the Indy Racing League. Tony George's IRL owns all of open wheel racing in the US . The battle is over. Champ Car surrendered; IRL won.

My husband and I had the opportunity to share our business experiences with students at Gettysburg College this past December. While there we toured the battlefield of what was America's bloodiest and greatest loss of life on a battlefield. We bought the movie, "Gettysburg" just to see the battle acted out.

If you remember, General James Longstreet, General Robert E. Lee's #2 in command, and one of the South's best generals, was in private disagreement with Lee regarding Lee's strategy to even fight that battle at Gettysburg. Yet Longstreet carried out the orders because he was Lee's lieutenant, and although the war carried on for a few more years, and the South and Longstreet won a few more battles, the win by the North at Gettysburg was a turning point. Longstreet, chagrined, lost many of his comrades in that battle. This was a battle for one's life, a much greater consequence than battling to keep one's job.

Steve Johnson hasn't been afraid to take on these Longstreet, long-odds, leadership roles. The challenge was as steep as the South's ability to win the war after the Battle of Gettysburg when Steve accepted the role to lead the beleaguered CART out of bankruptcy in 2005. Could he turn it around? It was the kind of battle a general like he relishes.

He assembled a fresh team of lieutenants, warriors, expanded the base of the business past the borders of America to places like China, Holland, Belgium, and Australia . He closed deals with major sponsors and pursued ones from far off countries. His league was the 2nd most popular motor sports group in the world. But the cost of the troops - the fielding of teams, top-quality crews, travel and testing budgets all of which has taken a toll on all of motorsports - continued to hamper this league. The owners found no joy in continuing to fund it. On behalf of his superiors, Champ Car had to surrender. By March of 2008, the league was bought by Tony George. As in every battle, there were casualties? similarly in a merger. Layoffs. Even Steve's own layoff.

There are many leaders our country continues to tap for these kinds of roles. Steve has been one of them. Prior to CART, for 5 years he headed the SCCA where he grew membership, changed a culture and even moved a corporate headquarters. With the NHRA, Mr. Johnson grounded in sales and marketing management with Black and Decker, helped build the NHRA into a more popular sports and entertainment property. His early career identified and honed his leadership skills at General Electric, Black & Decker, Master Lock and Honeywell.

Heartland Park Topeka, a 700 acre multi-use facility which hosts both the NHRA and the AMA plus a dirt oval for weekly stock car series, was thrilled he was available and quickly asked him to consult as Chairman after the merger.

There are few who raise their hands to go into combat. Fewer in sports business who volunteer for challenges many feel are insurmountable. During this unprecedented economic time, we need bold and inspirational yet prudent leaders willing to take the role unafraid of even his own life's casualty. General Longstreet survived the Civil War and went on to hold high diplomatic positions with the US Government after the war. Expect Steve Johnson, too, to lead another brigade and enjoy other successes after this; one battle in which he had to surrender.

"Cause you can't keep a good man down
Oh, no, you can't keep a good man down"

- Alabama

- Buffy Filippell