Career Timeline of Woody Johnson: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Woody Johnson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson IV is an American businessman, heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, and owner/chairman of the New York Jets. He purchased the Jets in 2000 for $635 million with his brother. Johnson served as the United States ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1938: Embassy Location in Grosvenor Square

The United States Embassy was located in Grosvenor Square from 1938 until 2018.

1994: Johnson Co-Writes Book on Managing Childhood Diabetes

In 1994, Woody Johnson co-wrote the book "Managing Your Child's Diabetes" with his wife Nancy, and Casey.

1999: Johnson Founds Alliance for Lupus Research

In 1999, Woody Johnson founded the legacy organization, Alliance for Lupus Research, after his daughter Jaime was diagnosed with lupus, to encourage public and scientific interest in lupus research.

January 2000: Purchase of New York Jets

In January 2000, Woody Johnson purchased the New York Jets from the estate of Leon Hess for $635 million, which was the third-highest price ever paid for a professional sports team at the time.

2000: Johnson Donates to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation

As of 2000, Woody Johnson had donated $12 million to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, where he served as chairman.

2000: Purchase of the New York Jets

In 2000, Robert Wood Johnson IV purchased the New York Jets for $635 million, in partnership with his brother, Christopher Johnson.

2001: Partnership with the Public Schools Athletic League

In 2001, under Woody Johnson's leadership, the New York Jets partnered with the Public Schools Athletic League.

2002: Johnson Lobbies Congress for Diabetes Research Funding

In 2002, Woody Johnson, then a chairman on the Council on Foreign Relations, successfully lobbied Congress to approve a five-year, $750 million package for funding diabetes research.

April 10, 2010: Opening of MetLife Stadium

On April 10, 2010, the Meadowlands Stadium, later named MetLife Stadium, officially opened. The New York Jets share the stadium as an equal partner with the New York Giants.

2010: Death of Casey Johnson

In early 2010, Woody Johnson's daughter, Casey Johnson, died of diabetic ketoacidosis. Following this, Johnson started the Alliance for Lupus Research, after his daughter Jaime was found to have lupus.

October 24, 2012: Johnson Urges Congress to Fund Diabetes Research

On October 24, 2012, Woody Johnson wrote an opinion piece in The Wall Street Journal titled "The Folly of Defunding Diabetes Research", urging Congress to approve long-term funding for the Special Diabetes Program.

2015: Steinberg DeNicola Humanitarian Award

In 2015, Woody Johnson received the Steinberg DeNicola Humanitarian Award for NFL owners who engage in philanthropy.

2016: Support for Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign

In 2016, Woody Johnson, a long-time Republican Party donor, supported Donald Trump's presidential campaign, leading to his subsequent appointment as the US Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

January 19, 2017: Nomination as U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Announced

On January 19, 2017, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to nominate Woody Johnson to become the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

June 22, 2017: Nomination for Ambassador Position

On June 22, 2017, Donald Trump formally nominated Woody Johnson for the position of United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

August 3, 2017: Confirmation by U.S. Senate

Following a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, Woody Johnson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 3, 2017, by voice vote as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

August 21, 2017: Swearing-In Ceremony

On August 21, 2017, Woody Johnson was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom by Vice President Mike Pence in the Oval Office.

November 8, 2017: Presentation of Credentials to Queen Elizabeth II

On November 8, 2017, Woody Johnson presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II.

2017: Appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom

In 2017, Robert Wood Johnson IV was appointed as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

2017: Christopher Johnson Takes Over Jets Operations

In 2017, upon Woody Johnson's appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, his brother, Christopher Johnson, assumed the roles of CEO and acting owner of the Jets.

February 2018: Johnson Seeks to Move British Open to Trump's Golf Resort

In February 2018, as ambassador, Woody Johnson sought to have the British Open golf tournament moved to Trump's Turnberry Golf Resort in Scotland, raising the idea with the Secretary of State for Scotland. This action was taken at the request of Donald Trump.

2018: Johnson Discusses Diabetes Research at University of Birmingham

In 2018, Woody Johnson visited the University of Birmingham to discuss the university's diabetes research and research library.

2018: Relocation of United States Embassy in London

In 2018, under Woody Johnson's oversight, the United States Embassy in London was relocated from Grosvenor Square to a new location in Nine Elms.

March 14, 2019: Private Dinner with Queen Elizabeth II

On March 14, 2019, Woody Johnson had a private dinner with Queen Elizabeth II at Winfield House, just two days after British Parliament rejected Theresa May's Brexit plan.

March 2019: Advocacy for US-UK Agricultural Trade

In March 2019, Woody Johnson wrote an article in the Daily Telegraph saying that chlorinated chicken was a "public safety no-brainer" and that health fears over hormone-fed beef were "myths".

June 2019: Statement on Post-Brexit Deal

In June 2019, Woody Johnson stated that a post-Brexit deal between the US and the UK would cover "all things that are traded", including the National Health Service and agricultural sector.

2019: Johnson advises UK government to ban Huawei

In 2019, Woody Johnson advised the UK government to ban Huawei from being used in the nation's 5G networks, after then Prime Minister Theresa May had approved the company. Johnson stated that Huawei could represent an economic and security risk.

January 2020: Statement on US Interest in NHS

In January 2020, Woody Johnson stated that the US was never interested in the NHS, but reiterated American interest in a free-trade deal with the UK.

July 2020: State Department Investigates Johnson for Inappropriate Comments

In July 2020, the State Department investigated allegations that Woody Johnson made inappropriate comments about race, personal appearance, and Black History Month, based on accusations from current and former staff members.

August 2020: Inspector General Report Halted

In August 2020, Lewis Lukens stated that the inspector general's report regarding Johnson's promotion of the president's personal business interests had halted without a public report being issued, which he considered unusual.

August 2020: Inspector General Report on Johnson's Inappropriate Comments

In August 2020, the inspector general issued a report stating that Woody Johnson "sometimes made inappropriate or insensitive comments on topics generally considered Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)-sensitive" that could "create an offensive working environment" and violate EEO laws.

2020: Johnson welcomes Britain's Huawei ban

In 2020, after Britain decided to ban Huawei from its 5G mobile networks, Woody Johnson welcomed the decision as a victory for human rights and fair trading practices.

2021: End of Ambassadorship

In 2021, Robert Wood Johnson IV's tenure as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom concluded.

2021: Resumption of Role as Jets Chairman

In 2021, after returning to New York, Woody Johnson resumed his role as chairman of the New York Jets.

2021: Woody Johnson Resumes Chairman Position

In 2021, after returning to the United States, Woody Johnson resumed his position as chairman of the Jets, with Christopher Johnson becoming vice-chairman.

April 2022: Jets Pledge Donation to Ukraine

In April 2022, the Jets pledged a $1 million donation to Ukraine, to be distributed to various organizations, including Plast Scouting USA and United24.

2022: Johnson Organizes Aid for Ukraine

During the ongoing 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Woody Johnson and his wife Suzanne organized aid efforts for Ukraine, visiting Poland and urging the United States and the United Kingdom to provide aid.

January 2023: Need for a Strong Quarterback Expressed

In January 2023, Woody Johnson expressed the New York Jets' need for a strong quarterback to complement their defense, considering it the "missing piece".

April 24, 2023: Trade Deal Finalization with Green Bay Packers for Aaron Rodgers

On April 24, 2023, it was reported that the Jets were finalizing a trade deal with the Green Bay Packers for Aaron Rodgers.

2023: Pursuit of Aaron Rodgers

In 2023, Woody Johnson pursued Aaron Rodgers, with the Jets finalizing a trade with the Green Bay Packers in April.

2023: LRA Partners with FDA

In 2023, the Lupus Research Alliance (LRA) partnered with the FDA to establish the Lupus Accelerating Breakthroughs Consortium, which works to improve the efficacy of clinical trials for lupus treatments.

2024: Forbes Estimate of Jets Value

As of December 2024, Forbes estimated the value of the New York Jets at $6.9 billion.

2024: Firing of Robert Saleh

During the 2024 season, Woody Johnson fired Robert Saleh, who finished with a 20-36 record and without a winning season.

January 2025: Hiring of Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey

In January 2025, Woody Johnson hired Aaron Glenn as the team's new head coach and Darren Mougey as the new general manager, expressing his desire to play a less active role in the team's day-to-day management.

June 2025: Agreement to Buy Stake in Crystal Palace

In June 2025, Woody Johnson agreed to buy a 45% share from John Textor in Crystal Palace, another London club, which would make him the largest shareholder in the club.

2025: Purchase of stake in Crystal Palace

In July of 2025, Woody Johnson completed the purchase of a 43% stake in Crystal Palace from Eagle Football Holdings, becoming a partner and director of the club.