Mark, a Seattle native, is a 1983 graduate of Garfield High School and a 1987 graduate of Central Washington University, completing a degree in political science, a minor in economics and an emphasis in communications.Johnson attended Central on partial scholarship.While at Central Mark served as the Associated Student Body President, advisory member for the Board of Trustees, President of the Phi Beta Lambda Business Club, Chairman of the Washington Student Lobby, and Sergeant of Arms for the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity.After graduating Johnson served on the CWU Alumni Association for 10 years, two as president.In 2000 he was presented the CWU Presidential Excellence in Leadership Award.Johnson has addressed 7 CWU graduation ceremonies.
Johnson also completed training with the Dale Carnegie Institute, receiving the highest achievement award, later returning as a graduate assistant instructor.Mark served four years in Toastmasters International Speech Club earning the title of Distinguished Toastmaster.
Mark started his career in politics by interning for U.S. Senator Dan Evans in 1987.He then worked in political campaigns, first for U.S. Senator Bob Dole’s presidential race in 1988 then with U.S. Congressman John Miller’s re-election bid.Mark moved to Olympia in 1989 to work for State Rep. and later State Senator Jeannette Wood until 2000.He then worked as the legislative liaison for the Washington State Children’s Administration until 2001.Mark served as the assistant state director for the Washington Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business from 2001 until 2004.While at NFIB he won a Political Action Committee fundraising competition sending him to both the national convention and the presidential inauguration in 2004-05.
Mark joined the Washington Retail Association January of 2005 as the Director of Government Affairs.In June 2006 he was promoted to Vice President.Mark is responsible for the strategic development of the Government Affairs activities of the Washington Retail Association andthe Government Affairs Division's activities.leads high priority issues for the association such as taxes, unemployment insurance, health care, privacy issues, and the handling of consumer products.Mark is also the lead staff for the association's Small Business Committee, Political Action Committee and its Government Affairs Committee.Johnson currently is a member of the Council of Washington Business Organizations, the International Council of Shopping Centers, Enterprise Washington Political Oversight Committee, Council of State Retail Associations, the Attorney General’s Citizens Advisory Committee, and several others.
Mark enjoys spending time with his wife Melissa, also a lobbyist, and their two young children Anna and James.In his spare time Mark enjoys volunteering through Kiwanis International, serving as an Eagle Scout board of review member, boating, golfing, classic cars, traveling, cooking, gardening, attending the ballet, symphony, and opera.
