January 10, 2012

Minneapolis, MN:  The Board of Directors of the National Association of Women Business Owners of Minnesota (NAWBO-MN) has conferred the status of President Emeritus upon Jill J. Johnson, MBA and president of Johnson Consulting Services. Johnson is the first past-president in NAWBO’s more than 30-year history to ever be granted emeritus status.

Johnson was congratulated for her outstanding leadership through her continuous service as a colleague, trusted adviser, and mentor. Johnson has worked tirelessly for nearly three decades to enhance opportunities for women’s economic success through her efforts as an advocate focusing on enhancing women’s business ownership opportunities, as a business leader, and as a mentor to the next generation of young women.

Johnson has been a trailblazer for women business owners by working to create educational opportunities to help them develop their business acumen, to expand access to capital to grow their businesses, and to increase their influence in the broader business community. Johnson has made a significant impact on increasing the economic opportunities for women not only on a state level, but also on a national stage. Her network of influence has created numerous opportunities for women in Minnesota and beyond. All of this work has been done as a volunteer because of her passion and belief in the economic empowerment of women.

Johnson served as president of the Minnesota Chapter from 1990-1991 and then served for three years on NAWBO’s National Board of Directors. Johnson has worked closely with the U.S. Small Business Administration at the local, regional, and national level. For nearly three decades, she has served as a special advisor to the agency on issues of women’s business ownership and entrepreneurship.

National NAWBO awarded Johnson its National Women Business Ownership Advocate of the Year award, the organization’s highest recognition for volunteer contributions as an advocate for women business owners. Johnson has also been honored as the Minnesota NAWBO’s Advocate of the Year. Additionally, Johnson was named the winner of U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Women in Business Advocate of the Year. This award was one of only six major small business advocacy awards given out by the agency. Johnson is the only Minnesotan to have ever won this national recognition. Johnson is also one of only a few Americans to ever receive honors from the SBA for both her expertise as a business owner and her advocacy on behalf of the nation’s small businesses

Johnson is still active with the Minnesota NAWBO serving as a special advisor to the Chapter leadership to create the Minnesota Women Business Owners Hall of Fame.

About Johnson Consulting Services: An award winning management consultant specializing in market-based strategy development since 1982, Johnson assists her clients in the development of business plans, marketing plans, and strategies for growth. Her clients are located throughout the United States, as well as in Europe and Asia. She has worked with hundreds of clients over the last two decades. Johnson assists her clients in evaluating critical decisions and assessing the impact of market forces to develop strategic and business plans at both the board and operating level. She was president of the Minnesota NAWBO Chapter in 1990 – 1991. For more information, visit www.jcs-usa.com.  

About the National Association of Women Business Owner (NAWBO): Founded in 1975, NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of America’s more than 10 million women-owned businesses; and boasts over 7,000 members and 80 chapters across the country.  With far-reaching clout and impact, NAWBO is a one-stop resource to propelling women business owners into greater economic, social and political spheres of power worldwide. For more info please visit: www.nawbo-mn.org