Rudolph A. Johnson, III

Having spent most of his life in San Diego, CA, Rudolph A. Johnson, III, knows all too well the impact that Neighborhood House Association (NHA) programs have on a family’s life. He is inspired by the struggles that families, children, and seniors face each day to make ends meet, and knows that the programs and services NHA provides make a huge difference in their lives and in the community as a whole. As a child, Mr. Johnson participated in NHA’s Federal Head Start program. Today, he leads the organization with great passion and a vision that has transformed NHA into one of the nation’s model human services agencies. 

As an accomplished senior executive, Johnson has a career record of providing business insight, transformational leadership, and strategic vision. Johnson spent nine years working for the City of San Diego, and eight years at the San Diego Convention Center—four of those eight years as General Manager.  He was appointed as President and CEO of the Neighborhood House Association in 2006, overseeing one of the largest multi-purpose human services agencies in San Diego County. With 28 programs, 800 employees, a $106 million budget, and an economic impact of over $200 million to the local area, NHA has grown to be a major economic engine under Johnson’s leadership.  

At NHA, Johnson has led an agency-wide organizational transformation that has resulted in efficient fiscal practices, infrastructure improvements, employee well-being and innovative business solutions for nonprofit agencies. Under his leadership, NHA has begun the operation of 20 new programs. NHA’s Nutrition Services program received national recognition from First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign in 2012 for fighting childhood obesity with a healthy, balanced, preschool menu. In 2015, the agency joined Live Well San Diego as a recognized partner. 

Johnson is a co-author of an Aspatore Inside the Minds series book titled, Strategies for Building an Agile Organization: Leading CEOs on Establishing Collaboration, Engaging Innovation, and Maximizing Value. He has been a guest lecturer for the Springfield College School of Human Services and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities’ Executive Leadership Institute. He was also selected as one of Diversity MBA Magazine’s Top 100 Emerging Leaders. In 2017, he was awarded the Excellence in Achievement Award in Business from the Texas Southern University National Alumni Association. He is also the recipient of the USS Midway Museum’s 2020 Bridge Builder Award. 

He is currently a member of the Eden Housing Board of Directors, The San Diego Foundation Board of Governors, The San Diego Foundation Black Community Investment Fund Advisory Council, the SDSU Mission Valley Residential Policy Group, the SDG&E Customer Advisory Council, and CONNECT—San Diego Black Leaders. He is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Pi Boule.

 Johnson holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Texas Southern University, and a certificate from the Public Assembly Facility Management School.  

 He is married to his college sweetheart Sheryl, and they have two children and one granddaughter.