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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Successful Exec Called 'Godfather of Advertising' in N.M.
By Rivkela Brodsky
Journal Staff Writer
Rick Johnson was called the "godfather of advertising" and a "pillar of the community" Tuesday by friends and community members who were mourning the loss of the successful advertising executive and philanthropist.
Johnson, who founded Rick Johnson & Co., 33 years ago, served on numerous boards and regularly donated time and money to community causes, died Monday after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 66.
Johnson led the company with his wife, Debbie Johnson, who is also an active member of the business community. The couple had been married 28 years.
"It's a tremendous loss and utterly and totally devastating," she said. "But I'm just grateful for having had such a wonderful husband, partner, best friend, lover, running buddy for all these years. It was a rare privilege for me to be able to live and work with him. I was one of those lucky wives who got to see how brilliant her husband was at his job."
Rick Johnson was described as generous and passionate by those who knew him best. Lt. Gov. Diane Denish who, with her husband, has been friends with the couple for years, said his death would be a "huge loss" for the community.
"He is the example of what we want the business community to be," Denish told the Journal on Tuesday evening.
Johnson grew the company into the largest advertising firm in the state, earning clients locally and nationally.
"I believe Rick is the godfather of advertising here in New Mexico," said Jim McKenna, president of Rick Johnson & Company. "He's been here the longest; he's had clients forever."
Friends and colleagues also said he took time to mentor others in the field and in the community.
Johnson served on numerous community and business boards, including ACCION New Mexico, the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management Board of Trustees and many more. He and Debbie also donated to and volunteered for United Way of Central New Mexico and were members of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce.
"Rick has served on too many ... boards to mention," said pollster Brian Sanderoff. "When anyone called on Rick Johnson with a community need, Rick was there. He loved New Mexico. He loved New Mexicans.
"It's a cliche to call someone a pillar of the community, but Rick really was. He was a pillar of New Mexico."
He was also an avid golfer, said friends and colleagues.
"Golf was one of his passions," said longtime friend and lobbyist Ed Mahr. "We enjoyed the game together for a lifetime, and he played golf like he played life — 100 percent. ... Our community has lost a true friend."
Johnson was born June 24, 1943, in Evansville, Ind. He attended Highland High School and the University of New Mexico, graduating in 1965. He also attended the University of Wisconsin Graduate School of Banking, graduating in 1975, and started Rick Johnson & Company in 1977.
Debbie and Rick Johnson were married in February 1982. Johnson is also survived by twin daughters.
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