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 co-owner of the New York Jets. He served as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021. Johnson's business career has primarily been focused on the Johnson Company and the New York Jets.
1988: Daughter Casey Diagnosed with Diabetes
In 1988, Woody Johnson's daughter Casey was diagnosed with diabetes, leading to his involvement with diabetes charities.
1994: Co-authors Book on Managing Childhood Diabetes
In 1994, Woody Johnson co-authored the book "Managing Your Child's Diabetes" with his wife Nancy and daughter Casey.
1997: Donation to Republican Party
Between 1997 and 1998, Woody Johnson donated $130,000 to the Republican Party.
1998: Donation to George W. Bush's Campaign
Between 1997 and 1998, Woody Johnson donated $22,583 to George W. Bush's 1998 gubernatorial re-election campaign of Texas.
1999: Founding of Alliance for Lupus Research
In 1999, Woody Johnson founded the Alliance for Lupus Research (ALR) after his daughter Jaime was diagnosed with lupus and he realized the lack of research in that area.
January 2000: Purchase of New York Jets
In January 2000, Woody Johnson purchased the New York Jets for $635 million, which was the third-highest price ever paid for a professional sports team at the time.
2000: Donation to Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
As of 2000, Woody Johnson had donated $12 million to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
2000: Donations to Republican Candidates
By the year 2000, Woody Johnson had donated more than $1 million to various Republican candidates and committees.
2000: Purchase of the New York Jets
In 2000, Woody Johnson purchased the New York Jets for $635 million, which was the highest price for a New York professional sports team at the time.
2002: Lobbying for Diabetes Research Funding
In 2002, Woody Johnson successfully lobbied Congress to approve a five-year, $750 million package for funding diabetes research.
May 2008: Fundraiser for John McCain
In May 2008, Woody Johnson orchestrated a fundraiser in New York City that raised $7 million for John McCain's presidential campaign.
April 10, 2010: Opening of MetLife Stadium
On April 10, 2010, the Meadowlands Stadium, later named MetLife Stadium, officially opened. Johnson moved the New York Jets to the stadium, sharing it with the New York Giants.
2011: Endorsement of Mitt Romney
In 2011, Woody Johnson endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the 2012 Republican presidential primaries.
October 24, 2012: Opinion Piece on Diabetes Research Funding
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.
2012: Endorsement of Mitt Romney
In 2012, Woody Johnson endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the Republican presidential primaries.
September 2013: Fundraiser for the Republican National Committee
In September 2013, Woody Johnson hosted a fundraiser for the Republican National Committee (RNC) at his home in New York City.
June 2015: Named National Finance Chairman for Jeb Bush
In June 2015, Woody Johnson was named the national finance chairman for Jeb Bush's presidential campaign.
May 2016: Endorsed Donald Trump for President
In May 2016, after Donald Trump became the presumptive nominee, Woody Johnson endorsed Trump for president.
January 19, 2017: Nomination as Ambassador Announced
On January 19, 2017, President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to nominate Woody Johnson as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
June 22, 2017: Trump Nominated Johnson as Ambassador
On June 22, 2017, Donald Trump formally nominated Woody Johnson as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
August 3, 2017: Confirmation as U.S. Ambassador
On August 3, 2017, Woody Johnson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
August 21, 2017: Sworn in as U.S. Ambassador
On August 21, 2017, Woody Johnson was sworn in as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom by Vice President Mike Pence.
November 8, 2017: Presented Credentials to Queen Elizabeth II
On November 8, 2017, Woody Johnson presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
2017: Appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom
In 2017, Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson was appointed as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
2017: Christopher Johnson Assumed Leadership of the Jets
In 2017, upon Woody Johnson's appointment as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, his brother, Christopher Johnson, took on the roles of CEO and acting owner of the New York Jets.
2018: Overseeing Embassy Relocation
In 2018, Woody Johnson oversaw the relocation of the United States Embassy in London from Grosvenor Square to a new location in Nine Elms.
2018: Visit to University of Birmingham
In 2018, Woody Johnson visited the University of Birmingham to discuss the university's diabetes research and research library.
August 2019: Donation to Donald Trump's Campaigns
By August 2019, Woody Johnson had donated $1.5 million to Donald Trump's presidential campaigns and inaugural committee.
February 2020: Donation to Trump's Re-election Campaign
In February 2020, Woody Johnson donated $575,000 to a fundraising committee for Donald Trump's 2020 re-election campaign and $355,000 to the RNC.
May 2020: Donation to America First Action, Inc.
In May 2020, Woody Johnson donated $1 million to America First Action, Inc., a pro-Trump super PAC.
August 2020: Lukens Interview on Inspector General's Report
In August 2020, Lukens stated in an interview that the State Department inspector general's report regarding Johnson's actions had halted without a public report, which he found unusual.
2021: End of Ambassadorship and Resumption of Jets Chairman Role
In 2021, Woody Johnson's tenure as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom concluded, and he resumed his role as chairman of the New York Jets.
2021: Woody Johnson Resumed Chairman Role
In 2021, after returning from his ambassadorship, Woody Johnson resumed his position as chairman of the New York Jets, with Christopher Johnson becoming vice-chairman.
2021: Resumed Role as Chairman
In 2021, upon his return from being the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Johnson resumed his role as chairman of the New York Jets.
March 2022: Bid to Purchase Chelsea F.C.
In March 2022, Woody Johnson made a £2 billion bid to purchase London football club Chelsea F.C., but he later withdrew from the bidding process.
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.
2022: Bid for Chelsea F.C.
In 2022, Johnson made a £2 billion bid for Chelsea F.C. but withdrew from the bidding process later that month.
January 2023: Expressed Need for Strong Quarterback
In January 2023, Woody Johnson expressed the New York Jets' need for a strong quarterback, identifying it as the 'missing piece' for the team.
April 24, 2023: Jets Finalizing Trade for Aaron Rodgers
On April 24, 2023, it was reported that the New York Jets were finalizing a trade deal with the Green Bay Packers to acquire Aaron Rodgers.
2023: Donation to Super PAC Backing Trump
In 2023, Woody Johnson donated at least $1 million to a super PAC supporting Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign.
2023: Pursuit of Aaron Rodgers
In 2023, Woody Johnson pursued Aaron Rodgers, and the New York Jets finalized a trade with the Green Bay Packers in April to acquire him.
2024: Estimated Value of the New York Jets
As of December 2024, Forbes estimated the value of the New York Jets, owned by Woody Johnson, at $6.9 billion.
