GeoHeroes - Ken Johnston

GeoHeroes - Ken Johnston

About This Episode
In this episode Guy Marcozzi interviews Ken Johnston, F.GBA, retired CAO of GZA and former GBA president, who shares his remarkable journey from shoeshine boy to industry leader. Despite his success, Ken humbly calls himself "just a lucky guy who had the opportunity." In this candid conversation, he reveals how outworking the competition, building lasting relationships, and finding passion over paychecks shaped his 42-year career. Ken discusses the evolution of the geoprofessional industry, the unique culture of trust within GBA, and his battle with cancer that influenced his retirement. His advice to young professionals: find your passion first, work hard, and the money will follow.

About Our Guest
Ken Johnston, F.GBA, is the retired Chief Administrative Officer of GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. and former president of the Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA, 2020-21). A native of Quincy, Massachusetts, Johnston graduated from Norwich University with a business degree and from New Hampshire College with an MBA. He had a distinguished 42-year career that uniquely blended unusually strong entrepreneurial skills with geoprofessional leadership.

In Johnston's 25-year plus relationship with GZA, he also served as Director of Risk Management, Director of Real Estate, and District Office Manager. His diverse experience includes working under every CEO in GZA's history and witnessing the firm's evolution from a small environmental and geotechnical company to the 700+ person multi-disciplinary firm it is today. Since retiring in 2024, he has served as a consultant to the firm, handling GZA’s real estate and accounts receivable issues. Between his GZA roles, he successfully built and operated businesses in mini-storage consulting and packaging distribution.

Our Host
Guy Marcozzi, PE, D.GE, LEED AP BD+C, is a GBA past-president and an experienced CEO, President and Board Member with a demonstrated history of working in the engineering, science and data technology industries and in leadership for various boards of ESOP, non-profit, professional and business organizations.

Show Notes

Introduction

• Ken Johnston, retired CEO of GZA GeoEnvironmental
• Prefers "just a lucky guy who had the opportunity" over "GeoHero"
• Past president of Geoprofessional Business Association (GBA)

Early Life and Education

• Grew up in Quincy, Massachusetts (home of Dunkin' Donuts, Howard Johnson's, two presidents)
• Average student, more interested in sports than academics
• Father was Navy fighter pilot
• Attended Norwich University - nation's oldest private military school, birthplace of ROTC
• Business major with computer science minor
• Key influence: Professor Frank Vanecek pushed him to take math with engineering students

Career Path

• First jobs: Shoeshine boy, mail boy at General Mills
• Met Bruce Lambrecht at General Mills - key entrepreneurial mentor
• Financial management training program at Sanders Associates (first Norwich student accepted)
• Philosophy: "I wasn't gonna outsmart 'em, I had to outwork 'em"
• Three separate stints at GZA (earned nickname "Hatrick")
• Entrepreneurial ventures between GZA stints:
  • Mini storage consulting business with Bruce Lambrecht
  • Packaging distribution nationwide
• Final return to GZA in 2007, worked way up to CEO
• 25+ total years at GZA

Leadership

• Worked under every CEO in GZA's history
• Leadership philosophy: Find passionate, knowledgeable people to lead different areas
• Witnessed GZA's evolution from geotechnical firm to multi-disciplinary (environmental, ecology, water, construction management)
• GBA involvement starting 2008, became president (2020-21)
  • Calls GBA "single best thing" he got involved in during 42-year career

The Geoprofessional Landscape

Changes Over Time:

• Less "ungodly hours" and weekend work
• Smarter work practices, remote capabilities, better work-life balance
• Technology evolution from IBM punch cards to modern systems

Constants:

• Quality of people - "salt of the earth" with passion for their work
• Remarkable loyalty - colleagues with 35-50 years of service
• Industry professionals see work as "way of life" like doctors, not just a job
• Humility - "no one's trying to be in hall of fame," just doing good work

Technology Impact:

• Both blessing and curse
• Can't get away from cell phones/email

Life Advice

• Career: Find passion first, don't chase money initially - "money will follow if you work hard"
• Relationships: Stay connected with people - "I meet people and remain friendly with them forever"
• Work approach: Outwork the competition when you can't outsmart them
• Balance: Don't take work too seriously - cost some friendships by being too rigid

Speed Round

• Favorite Book: A Cruel and Shocking Act by Philip Shenon, Good to Great by Jim Collins, The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni, One Second After by William R. Forstchen
• Optimism index: 4 out of 5 - "don't have time to be negative"
• Proudest accomplishments:
  • Family (son is West Point grad/Black Hawk pilot, talented daughter)
  • $300,000+ raised for cancer research through 36 years of Pan Mass Challenge bike rides
  • Career at GZA
• What he'd change: Would have been lighter, less serious at work
• Advice for young professionals: Find passion, work hard, don't worry about money initially

Final Thoughts

• Honored to be invited on podcast
• Praised Guy's presidency and Joel's leadership at GBA
• Playful rivalry with Leo Titus
• Grateful for career opportunities and relationships formed

Calls-to-action:

• Visit the GBA Website at https://www.geoprofessional.org for other training resources and reference materials and/or to become a member.
• Visit https://www.gbapodcast.com for future podcast episodes
• Contact us at info@geoprofessional.org with any podcast-related questions or comments

Subscribe

• Subscribe to the GBA Podcast https://www.gbapodcast.com/subscribe

This episode was produced by the following GBA Members:

• Ryan White, PE, GE – Principal Geotechnical Engineer/Apex