Through hard work and determination, Marie Johns’ career has led from secretary to President and CEO of Verizon, Washington, DC, a $700 million telecommunications company. Marie has offered her leadership skills to the community in her candidacy for Mayor of Washington, DC.
Marie has focused her skills as a chief executive on building a record of achievement in the community, particularly in the areas of education and economic development. She has worked to increase the educational capacity for Washington DC students. She led the efforts of Verizon’s predecessor Bell Atlantic to provide a high-speed internet connection to every public school and public library in Washington DC. She led the effort to create technology-learning centers in every ward and played a key role in securing $10 million in federal funding to implement a “school to careers” initiative.
Marie’s commitment to education goes beyond her involvement with the DC Public Schools. Marie is a trustee of Howard University and has served as chair of the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science, which welcomed its inaugural class of 120 sixth graders on August 29, 2005. Marie is a former chair of the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. She recently co-chaired a $4 million capital campaign for the Metropolitan Washington Girl Scouts Council and she is an annual participant in the Girl Scouts Camp CEO.
Her love and support of young people has guided much of her community service. Yet it does not stop there. Marie is a former chair of Leadership Washington and the DC Chamber of Commerce. Marie has served as a director of many organizations, including the Greater Washington Board of Trade, the Economic Club of Washington, the National Capital Revitalization Corporation and the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation. Marie is the Founding Chair of the Washington DC Technology Council. She also is a member of the senior board of stewards of the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Marie holds B.S. and M.P.A degrees from Indiana University. She was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Trinity College (now Trinity University). In her personal life, Marie has been richly blessed, as well. She has been married for over 34 years to Wendell Johns. Marie and Wendell are the parents of Richard Johns, an attorney in private practice in Washington DC. Son Richard, daughter-in-law Lynn and grandson Richard Franklin II are residents of Ward 5. Marie and Wendell reside in Ward 3.