Type Of Business:
Music Composition, Songwriting, Publishing, Performances
Marketing Area:
Metropolitan Tri-State Area, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut
Expertise:
Mr. Johnson's areas of expertise include songwriting, composition, and performing as a musician.
Major Product/SVS:
Composing Music for Television, Radio and Various Charitable Organizations
Hobbies/Sports:
Golfing, Tennis, Gardening, Antique Collecting, Fine Art, Gourmet Cooking, Entertaining
Education Degrees:
Coursework in Business, Fordham University (2 Years)
Affiliations Awards:
Former Member, Professional Association of Innkeepers International
Place of Birth:
West Point, NY
What do you feel separates you from the rest of the professionals in your industry?:
Mr. Johnson has the complete desire to be the absolute best he possibly can and admires those who share and exude these same values in their own life. His heroes are Vince Lombardi, who once said 'Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing!' and Tiger Woods, who once stated 'I don't just want to beat you, I want to absolutely destroy you!' His other heroes are President Barack Obama, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Jim Valvano, namesake for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. In addition, he also admires Paine Stewart, a golfer who changed his life. Stewart won the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in 1999 and then died months later in a horrific plane crash. Other influences in his life include Tim Russert, deceased NBC analyst and moderator of 'Meet the Press,' NBC anchormen Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams, and his son Patrick, who conquered dyslexia and became a high school honor roll student and a suma cum laude college graduate against what was believed to be unattainable odds. Also, his grandfather, Lieutenant General Hugh A. Drum, for whom Fort Drum in Watertown, New York is named after, was an inspiration in his life. Finally, his other inspirations include NBC news reporter and anchorman of legendary status, David Bloom, who died while covering Desert Storm with the 3rd Marine Division, current NBC reporter Richard Engel covering the wars in both Iran and Afghanistan, the recently deceased Walter Cronkite, as well as all victims of cancer both living and deceased because they are and will always remain, his heroes.
What has been the most outstanding thing you have done thus far in your career?:
Mr. Johnson truly cherishes the fact that he celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary on July 20th, 2009 with his best friend, soulmate, and quintessential love of his life, Sandy. He has had the absolute privilege and honor to be connected to her. Nothing else means more to him than this wonderful accomplishment, for all the heroes he may have previously mentioned, she is the one he truly loves, honors and admires the most and thanks the Lord everyday for the privilege of having her as the most important part of his existence on Earth.
Secondly, his other achievement is being a Eucharistic Minister and lector for Assumption Parish in Emerson, New Jersey, where he is in a position to give service and holy communion to two nursing homes and convalescent centers on Sundays.
Expanded Biography:
Mr. Johnson intends to turn the inn he used to run into a summer camp for children with cancer, inspired by Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Camps. As a corporate trainer for 10 years, Mr. Johnson has a favorite quote that he lives by which states 'The winners in this world will continue to win against all the negative odds because of what they truly are-'winners.' On the other hand, the losers in this world will wring their hands, whine, cry and wallow in their own gutters of despair because of whom they truly are-'losers.' I prefer to continue to be a 'winner'- what do you choose to be?'
At Dick Vitale's Gala for Cancer Research at the Ritz-Carlton Grand Ballroom in Sarasota, Florida in May, 2009, he stood before 880 attendees and considered himself a tiny tree seedling in a great big forest of sequoias. From there, he proceeded to perform from his heart and soul as he never had before after shaving his head prior to the performance to produce the desired effect.
Charity:
Various Organizations Dedicated to Cancer Research; Lions International; Knights of Columbus; Habitat for Humanity International; Eucharistic Minister; Lector, Assumption Parish, Emerson, NJ; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN; The V Foundation for Cancer Research, Cary, NC
Number Of Years In Profession:
20
Number Of Years In Current Position:
20
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
He attributes his success to his ability to think outside of the box and the support he receives from his mentors. He enjoys being able to use his musical talents to inspire others as well as give back to the community. As a former innkeeper, he strove for high quality service and individualized attention for his guests. Furthermore, he was one of the few successful distinct bed and breakfasts in North America and was able to operate without affiliating himself with or paying the fees to be listed with the major travel organizations and companies.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
He became involved in involved with music because of his interest in music composition. He is also works in affiliation with various nonprofit organizations. As a former inn owner, he operated the inn because he wanted to provide top-notch services for travelers.
Extended Bio Profile:
Mr. Johnson and his wife enjoy participating and giving time to philanthropic endeavors, often times without great attention or acknowledgment. For five years in a row on Halloween, he turned his inn into five haunted houses complete with special effects, including music and holograms. The people of Crown Point, New York had never seen this type of attraction in their rural surroundings, and lines of 300 people were seen wrapped around the corner at a fee of $5 each for charity. The proceeds benefited various charities, including one to cover the expenses for a female seriously injured in a car accident. He no longer runs the inn and is now strictly involved in philanthropic causes and service to his town.
Recently, he attended a gala which raised $1.7 million for cancer in Florida and performed songs he had written and composed himself that moved people to tears, including 'Heroine for Our Night,' written about pediatric cancer victim Payton Wright, and 'You're My Heroes.' Mr. Johnson has also collaborated musically with Frank Fieldman, a Juilliard trained writer of many symphonies, who was also diagnosed with cancer. It meant a lot to him to be able to work with someone who was musically trained as well as was the focus of his charitable causes.
He will serve as the states chief witness for the New Jersey State Attorney's Office in the Division of Criminal Justice for the fraud investigation case against a building inspector, construction code officials, the administration, and one of the mayors.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Working as a Philanthropist and Composer Involved in Various Community Organizations, Running for Mayor
Awards/Honors:
Featured Bed and Breakfast Owner, Newsday; Sandy Soule's Top 10 Bed and Breakfast Inns of North America; America's Favorite Inns, Bed and Breakfasts and Small Hotels; America's Historic Inns; Top Ten Romantic Inns of North America, New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association; Awards, America's Historic Inns, Inc., Dana Point, CA; Awards, Professional Association of Innkeepers International; Former Distinctive Inn of North America