MARVA BROWN JOHNSON

PRESIDENT-ELECT, FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY, TALLAHASSEE

Following a long telecom career with Charter Communications, Johnson was selected this year by Florida A&M University’s Board of Trustees to become the university’s 13th president. She’s the second woman to serve in the role. Johnson is the former chairwoman of the Florida State Board of Education.

EDUCATION: Georgetown University (BS), Emory University (MBA), Georgia State University (JD)

FIRST JOB: My first “official” job was the salad bar attendant at Rax Roast Beef in Temple Terrace.

SOMETHING SURPRISING: Most people do not know that I was raised by wolves. I am the only female in a family of four children. My brothers thought it was best to treat me like a boy up through adolescence. This approach created some magical childhood memories. Most importantly, they did not allow me to discount my strength, skill or intellect because of my gender. They taught me to feel empowered before I even realized why I needed to know this valuable lesson.