Rich Johnson is the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Wilton Companies, a fully integrated real estate company engaged in the acquisition, development, ownership, management and leasing of multi-family and commercial real estate properties.

In 2002, The Wilton Companies was purchased from the Wilton family. Under the current management team’s leadership, Wilton has become a dynamic real estate company operating a diversified portfolio of multifamily, office, light industrial and retail properties in the mid-Atlantic region.

Prior to Wilton, Johnson was Chairman and CEO of Southern Title Insurance Corporation and, subsequently, Founder and President of Southern Financial Corporation, which became part of The Wilton Companies.

Experience

For over 50 years, Rich Johnson has put his business degrees to good use. At the age of 24, while working for DSC Mortgage Company in Richmond, he was promoted to executive vice president. During his time with DSC, Southern Title Insurance Corporation sought him out to take over as CEO and Chairman of the Board.

During his tenure at Southern Financial Corporation, Rich was involved with the acquisition, development, ownership and management of commercial real estate properties in excess of $100 million dollars as well as the disposition of various portfolios of foreclosed commercial properties on behalf of banking clients.

Education

• University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business, Bachelor of Science Degree, Concentration in Economics (1973)
• Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Master of Science Degree, Concentration in Real Estate and Urban Land Development (1977)

Business & Industry Involvement

• Board of Directors, First Community Bankshares, Inc. and Board of Directors, First Community Bank, N.A.
• Member of the Executive, ALCO, ACER and Compensation Committees, First Community Bank Bancshares, Inc./First Community Bank
• Past Director of The Apartment Trust of America.

Community Involvement

As an active member of the Richmond community, Mr. Johnson has maintained leadership positions serving as a Past Member of the National Boards of Directors of Ducks Unlimited, Inc. and Ducks Unlimited Canada. He continues to serve as a Director Emeritus of Ducks Unlimited, Inc.

Locally, his past involvement has included serving as Chairman of the Board of the Economic Development Authority of the City of Richmond, past Vice Chairman of the State Fair of Virginia, past Chair of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Richmond, past Director of the Children’s Museum of Richmond.

Rich has continued his active engagement with the American Civil War Museum, where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board.

Rich has been a dedicated volunteer for his alma mater, The University of Richmond. He serves on the University’s Emeritus Board of Trustees. He also is a past President of the Robins School of Business Alumni Association.