Susan Johnson is a seasoned manager known for her organizational acumen and expertise in change management and disaster response. The American Academy of Project Management has certified Susan as a Master Project Manager (MPM) and a Certified International Project Manager (CIPM). Ms. Johnson is particularly involved in assisting the firm’s corporate and entrepreneurial clients in matters of corporate governance and compliance, due diligence, and business development. Her expertise has delivered great value to clients including world-leading defense contractors and industry-leading medical device manufacturers.
Before joining TAG Holdings, Ms. Johnson was Chief of Staff to Vice Admiral Thad Allen. With Allen, she managed the unprecedented federal response to Hurricane Katrina, which spanned 90,000 miles across five Gulf Coast states. Ms. Johnson oversaw redevelopment efforts and $100 billion in disaster relief for nearly one million displaced residents.
Previously, Ms. Johnson was Chief of Staff for Management at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Her focus was integrating the 22 federal agencies that formed DHS. She also managed DHS’s core business functions, including a $43.2 billion dollar operating budget and procurement, information technology, human resources and administrative services offices.
From 2001 to 2005, Ms. Johnson was Senior Advisor to the U.S. Attorney General and Department of Justice White House Liaison. She developed and implemented a $22 billion annual operating budget for the agency, was principal advisor on management and appropriations issues, and helped reorganize the Department after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Her work earned her the Attorney General’s Award for Outstanding Management.
Ms. Johnson served as Policy and Research Director and campaign spokesperson on U.S. Senator John Ashcroft’s 2000 re-election campaign. Before that, she worked for then Senator Ashcroft. Ms. Johnson began her career in the Virginia House of Delegates working for then-Delegate Robert McDonnell.
Ms. Johnson holds an MBA and Master of Public Policy from Regent University, a BA from Palm Beach Atlantic University, and is a member of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce. She is married to a former Marine now serving as a police officer and is a mother of two. Her son is on the autism spectrum and inspired her to start a blog about the family's autism journey. The blog launched in January 2018 at www.legosandlullabies.com.
Ms. Johnson joined TAG Holdings to be part of an experienced team focused on helping companies operate with integrity and compliance, manage crises, and realize value.