Скачать или смотреть GeoHeroes - Ken Johnston

About This Episode

In this episode Guy Marcozzi (  / guy-marcozzi-b12744a  ) interviews Ken Johnston (  / ken-johnston-f-gba-b1117b1b  ) , F.GBA, retired CAO of GZA (https://www.gza.com/) 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 (  / ken-johnston-f-gba-b1117b1b  ) , F.GBA, is the retired Chief Administrative Officer of GZA (https://www.gza.com/) GeoEnvironmental, Inc. and former president of the Geoprofessional Business Association (https://www.geoprofessional.org/) (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 (  / guy-marcozzi-b12744a  ) , 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 → https://www.gbapodcast.com/gh19