Probably no one in NAE4-HA history worked as hard as Jimmy Johnson to make 4-H work a profession. At a time when the "club agent" was considered by many as an entry-level position, he toiled to make 4-H a recognized and valued profession. Jimmy served as a 4-H agent for 32 years and as a mentor to countless 4-H agents. With the help of good volunteers and staff, he managed a county program of 1,650 members in 65 clubs. As NAE4-HA Vice President and Membership Chair and as President, Jimmy traveled over 9,000 miles in an airplane he jointly-owned to visit 4-H Agents and Extension Directors to start new state 4-H associations. In 1969, largely thanks to him, NAE4-HA reached the goal of over 1,000 members.
Jimmy served eight years on the NAE4-HA Board. As Treasurer, he instituted a new accounting system. In 1970, Jimmy served as President-Elect and Program Chair of the national meeting at Purdue. The first commercial exhibits were added largely due to his efforts. To transform the annual meeting into a "first class" professional development conference, tabletop discussions and seminars were instituted. As the Silver Anniversary president in 1971, Jimmy wanted conference participants to leave on a "high note" with a "Cap Sheaf" speaker to close the program, a tradition that continues today. Jimmy received many honors during his career including NAE4-HA Distinguished Service Award in 1968 and 25 year Service Award in 1971.
