Nation's Finest, formerly Veterans Resource Centers of America (VRC) is a Santa Rosa-based nonprofit that focuses on the overall wellness and reintegration of U.S. military veterans from all eras. Founded in 1972 by a group of Vietnam veterans, VRC has 14 resource centers embedded in local communities across California, Arizona, and Nevada. With a primary focus on housing assistance, behavioral health treatment, and case management, VRC takes a holistic approach to addressing the individual needs of each veteran.VRC's goal is to support America’s military veterans, helping them live up to their full potential and build happy, healthy, and enriched lives for themselves and their families. Self-sufficiency and successful reintegration into their communities are the hallmarks VRC strives for, and they pride themselves on helping veterans help themselves.

EVERGREEN TREATMENT SERVICES$25 million dollar agency working to transform the lives of individuals and their communities through innovative and effective addiction and social services in Western Washington since 1973. Seattle, WAINTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR January 2019 – PresentRecruited to evaluate and implement business practices to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Developing a strategic planning process, training leadership team on effective budget projections and budget accountability, new partnerships, fundraising, developing new funding streams, sustaining relationships with current partners are all challenges undertaken with this role. Asked to work with staff to ensure strong leadership team remains intact as well as assist in growing diversity and social justice understanding and practices.

Chris A Johnson, has the uncanny ability to sit in a room and listen to a cacophony of conversation, regardless of the topic or challenge being discussed, and sort through or filter out the items of least importance to forward progress. He can then turn the conversation and focus on the critical items necessary for success. Chris has spent the last twenty-five plus years providing leadership, guidance, trouble-shooting and turn-around solutions for not-for-profits and for-profits from Intel to the American Red Cross, as both an employee and a consultant. Responsible for raising over 60 million dollars in funding for educational, venture and community causes, Chris A Johnson has utilized every possible fund development and marketing medium.Owner, Executive Director, Communications Officer, President, Vice-President of Development, Chief Executive Officer, Principal, Chief Development Officer, Board Chair, Creative Director and Marketing Director are just a few of the titles Chris has held. Interpersonal communication, team building, strategic planning, crisis management, creative abilities and strong negotiating skills are a few of the attributes most employers, staff, volunteers and clients, compliment. Chris A Johnson speaks frequently on issues related to the challenges non-profits face in these tough economic times and his ability to continually provide a fresh perspective has Chris A Johnson in high demand.

Mending Kids provides free life-saving surgical care to sick children worldwide by deploying volunteer medical teams and educating communities to become medically self-sustaining. Our volunteer medical teams donate their time and services to care for children while educating local medical staff.

With a history dating back to 1922, Woodcraft Rangers brings unparalleled experience to the field of youth development, education, and enrichment programs. Programs and services promote self-discovery and achievement in school and in life through experiences that engage imagination, stimulate thinking, uncover talents, and reveal potential.Corrected challenges and created positive environment, internally and externally for 10 million dollar agency. Stabilized staff, managed internal business and financial audit, and grew and revitalized board of directors. Responsible for developing transition and search teams.

Provide leadership and support for the nations premier kidney disease outreach organization serving the over 26 million Americans with chronic kidney disease and the 83,000 people on waiting lists for kidney transplants.Support, and find resources for, patient and community services such as free early detection screenings.Create stronger public awareness and education of need for organ donation.Support patient advocacy to ensure legislative active ensure patients voices are heard.Continue and grow fund-raising programs to allow for expanded research grants.

Responsible for all aspects of business for local and regional 7.5 million dollar region considered to be one of strongest in national system. Provide regional oversight for Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Carmel, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz County chapters. I serve as one of only eight “early adopter” regional CEO’s in Red Crosses new national reorganization structure.

Newly created Red Cross headquarters arm providing leadership, direction and support to 45 chapters in California, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana IslandsDirected $2M Red Cross component of collaborative between Governor’s office, Vons/Safeway stores and State Emergency Management during launch of First Lady’s Preparedness campaign.Orchestrated messaging of over 150 media outlets and countless politicians and dignitaries during highly visible Katrina transfer of survivors from New Orleans to shelter at Astrodome.Increased chapter fundraising results nationally by over $15M through Special Event Strategic Plan.

Second largest Red Cross chapter in the country with a budget in excess of $24MDriving Force behind Red Cross’s first interactive, web-based tool for educating community on disaster preparedness, Over 15,000 hits in first month.Supervised over 100 high net worth, high profile individuals in new lobbying effort at state capital on disaster preparedness and life-saving training legislation.

Orchestrated one-day fundraising event collecting over $750,000, largest per capita in the country, supporting Red Cross efforts after 9/11. Largest single contribution was only $5,000. Created Media Advisory Board to assist in information dissemination after disasters. Over $150,000 in annual in-kind placements a result of good will established through board.

Responsible for all aspects of business for $20 million agency including acquisition and retention. Managed all outreach (media relations, community service, and promotions) for clients and agency. Clients included tourism, non-profit, high tech, telecommunications, business to business and consumer.

Guided all aspects of business including community buy-in on project and all capital fund raising for 150,000 square foot museum and educational center devoted to the history of California agriculture. Developed communication and marketing plans, building construction and displays, for new 501(c) (3).

Devised marketing/creative strategies for 75-year-old historical restaurant and attraction attracting over 2.3 million visitors. Helped close landmark institution with dignity.

Created and implemented creative plans for animal related "edu-tainment" park whose attendance topped 1.8 million visitors. Park experienced constant growth in my tenure with a 32% attendance growth in 1992, best in the United States.

Full service advertising and public relations firm whose gross billings increased 1,500% over a two-year period. Media relations and promotions a primary focus. Never lost a client.