Earl Johnson '87 To Address Students

HOUGHTON, N.Y. – Earl F. Johnson ’87, Vice President for Finance and Operations for the Strong National Museum of Play, will address Houghton College students at the monthly Guest Executive Dinner, held on Thursday, February 11 at 5 p.m. in the South End of the Dining Hall.                        

Johnson currently serves as the Vice President for Finance and Operations for the Strong National Museum of Play®. This role requires him to provide financial leadership for the second largest children’s museum in the United States also recognized as the largest attraction in Upstate New York. Johnson leads the museum teams responsible for finance, IT, security, environmental services, grounds, and live collections which includes the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden®. He is the museum liaison to the Board of Trustees Finance Committee, Investment Sub-Committee, Audit Committee and Building & Grounds Committee. An important aspect of his work is managing outside banking and borrowing relationships. He oversees the museum’s insurance risk management programs and serves as chief liaison to all insurance carriers. Johnson’s responsibilities include drafting the annual budget and managing museum resources in cooperation with the president and vice-presidents. He monitors implementation of the museum’s investment policy and ensures adequate cash flows to fund operations.

Johnson earned his MBA at Alfred University and holds a master’s degree of Professional Studies in Community Services Administration.  His undergraduate work was completed at Houghton College, a Templeton Foundation Character Building College.  Earl is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and a member of Financial Executives International (FEI), a leading organization for senior-level financial executives.   

Johnson spent 16 years in the health and human services industry before coming to the Strong National Museum of Play® including serving as CFO with Allegany Arc, an organization with a $16 million budget and over 300 staff. While at the Arc, Johnson convinced the agency to adopt the ratio-driven benchmark for non-profits called A-ScoreSM. The organization’s score improved from 65 to 90 as Johnson led the agency from a rating description of "marginal to poor financial condition requiring immediate attention" to "reflecting a very strong financial condition indicating overall fiscal health and stability".  

Johnson and his wife live in Almond, N.Y. with their two sons, Stephen and Matthew.  

The monthly Guest Executive Dinner series is sponsored by Houghton's business department for the purpose of increasing student exposure to marketplace professionals from various fields and service opportunities to be both salt and light after college.