Charles S. Johnson is an accomplished corporate executive with over 20 years of leadership experience. As a former Executive Vice President at Ball Corporation, Charles played a pivotal role in driving organizational growth and fostering a culture of excellence. Renowned for his expertise in corporate team building, he became a national thought leader on leadership strategies, particularly in developing high-performing teams that thrived on collaboration and innovation.
Before his corporate success, Charles made an indelible mark on the field as the quarterback for the University of Colorado’s 1991 National Championship team, earning Most Valuable Player honors in the National Championship game. His leadership, both on and off the field, set the foundation for his future career in business and coaching.
In addition to his corporate leadership, Charles served as the Associate Director of Athletics at the University of Colorado Boulder from 2005 to 2011, where he helped shape the university’s athletic programs and fostered student-athlete success. He is also a sought-after motivational speaker, sharing insights on the key elements of building a championship team, based on his personal experience as a player and leader.
Charles was recognized for his creativity and media expertise, winning an Emmy Award for creating and hosting the “Live at The Barbershop” show on the FOX Regional Network in 2006.
A proud University of Colorado graduate, Charles remains deeply involved in the university’s community. He served on the University of Colorado Board of Trustees and the Leeds Business School Board of Advisors. Additionally, he is a board member for the Denver Health Foundation, continuing his commitment to both educational and community service initiatives.
Charles champions leadership qualities through the HERO Skills framework—Humility, Empathy, Reflection, and Open-mindedness—principles that he believes are essential for both personal and professional growth.
