Marie Johns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marie Johns
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg) |
|
| Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration | |
| In office June 22, 2010 – April 2013 |
|
| President | Barack Obama |
| Administrator | Karen Mills |
| Preceded by | Jovita Carranza |
| Succeeded by | Althea Coetzee |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Marie Collins Johns
August 19, 1951 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Indiana University Bloomington (B.S., MPA) |
Marie Collins Johns (born August 19, 1951) is an American businesswoman and a former government official. She served as the Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA is a U.S. government agency that helps small businesses grow and succeed.
President Barack Obama chose Marie Johns for this important role on December 17, 2009. The U.S. Senate then approved her appointment on June 22, 2010. Before working for the government, Johns was the president and CEO of Verizon in Washington, D.C. This is a big company that provides phone and internet services. She also ran for mayor of Washington, D.C., in 2006, but she did not win the election.
Education and Learning
Marie Johns went to Indiana University Bloomington. She earned two degrees there: a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.). A B.S. degree usually means she studied a science or technical subject, and an M.P.A. means she studied how to manage public organizations.
Later, she received special honors called "honorary doctorates." These are given to people who have achieved great things, even if they didn't study for that specific degree. She received one from Howard University in 2013 and another from Trinity College (now Trinity University) in 1999.
Career Highlights
Marie Johns started her career as a secretary. She worked hard and moved up to become the President and CEO of Verizon in Washington, D.C. This company was worth about $700 million.
While at Verizon, Marie Johns created a special program to help young people. This program trained over 400 teenagers, including many who had left high school early. It helped them get jobs in communications. She also worked to bring high-speed internet to every public school and library in Washington, D.C. This was a big step in making sure everyone had access to technology.
Johns also helped create technology learning centers in different parts of the city. She played a key role in getting $10 million in government money to start a program that helped students learn skills for future jobs.
Community Involvement
Marie Johns cares a lot about her community. She is a trustee for Howard University, which means she helps guide the university. She also led the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science. This school opened in 2005 to teach math and science to young students.
She has also been involved with many other groups. She was the chair of the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, which helps people stay healthy and active. She also helped raise $4 million for the Metropolitan Washington Girl Scouts Council. She even participates in the Girl Scouts Camp every year!
Johns has also led or been a part of many business and community organizations in Washington, D.C. These include the DC Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Washington Board of Trade. She also helped start the Washington DC Technology Council.
Family Life
Marie Johns is married to Wendell Johns. They have been married for over 45 years! They have a son named Richard Johns, who is a lawyer in Washington, D.C. Marie and Wendell also have two grandchildren.
