Marie Johns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marie Johns
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| Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration | |
| In office June 22, 2010 – April 2013 |
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| 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 on August 19, 1951, is an American businesswoman and a former government official. She served as the Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration. This government agency helps small businesses grow and succeed. President Barack Obama chose her for this role in 2009. The Senate, which is part of the U.S. government, approved her appointment in 2010. Before her government service, Ms. Johns was the president and CEO of Verizon Washington, D.C., a large company that provides phone and internet services.
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Education and Learning
Marie Johns studied at Indiana University. She earned two degrees there: a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) and a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.). Later, she received special honorary doctorates. These are special awards given by universities to recognize important achievements. 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 eventually became the President and CEO of Verizon Washington, D.C. This was a very big job, leading a company worth $700 million.
Helping Young People and Schools
While at Verizon, Marie Johns created a special program. This program helped train over 400 teenagers for jobs in communications. Many of these teens had not finished high school. She also helped connect every public school and public library in Washington, D.C. to high-speed internet. This was a big step for education in the city. Ms. Johns also helped create technology learning centers. These centers were in different parts of the city. She also helped get $10 million in government money. This money was used to help students learn skills for future jobs.
Community Involvement
Marie Johns is very active in her community. She is a trustee at Howard University. This means she helps guide the university. She also led the Howard University Middle School of Mathematics and Science. This school opened in 2005.
She used to be the leader of the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. The YMCA helps people, especially young people, with health and community programs. She also helped raise $4 million for the Metropolitan Washington Girl Scouts Council. She often takes part in the Girl Scouts Camp.
In the 1980s, Marie Johns helped start the first home in the city for babies who needed special care. She has also led other important groups. These include Leadership Washington and the DC Chamber of Commerce. She served on the boards of many organizations. These include the Greater Washington Board of Trade and the Economic Club of Washington. She also helped create the Washington DC Technology Council. She is a member of the historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Personal Life
Marie Johns is married to Wendell Johns. They have been married for over 45 years. They have a son named Richard Johns. He is a lawyer in Washington. Marie and Wendell also have two grandchildren.
