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 and heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune. He's a co-owner of the New York Jets and served as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021. His business acumen and political involvement define his public profile.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1997: Donation to the Republican Party

Between 1997 and 1998, Johnson donated $130,000 to the Republican Party.

1998: Donation to George W. Bush's Campaign

Between 1997 and 1998, Johnson donated $22,583 to George W. Bush's 1998 gubernatorial re-election campaign of Texas.

January 2000: Purchase of the 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, and the highest for a New York professional sports team.

2000: Political Donations

By the year 2000, Johnson had given more than $1 million to various Republican candidates and committees.

2000: Purchase of the New York Jets

In 2000, Robert Wood Johnson IV purchased the New York Jets football team for $635 million, then the highest price for a New York professional sports team.

May 2008: Fundraiser for John McCain

In May 2008, Johnson orchestrated a fundraiser in New York City that raised $7 million for John McCain's presidential campaign.

April 10, 2010: MetLife Stadium officially opened

On April 10, 2010, the Meadowlands Stadium, later named MetLife Stadium, officially opened, shared as an equal partnership between the New York Jets and the New York Giants, following Johnson's acquisition of the Jets.

2011: Endorsement of Mitt Romney

In 2011, Johnson endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the 2012 Republican presidential primaries.

2012: Endorsement of Mitt Romney

In 2011, Johnson endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the 2012 Republican presidential primaries.

September 2013: Fundraiser for the Republican National Committee

In September 2013, 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's Campaign

In June 2015, Johnson was named the national finance chairman for Jeb Bush's campaign for president.

May 2016: Endorsement of Donald Trump

In May 2016, after Trump became the presumptive nominee, Johnson endorsed Trump for president.

January 19, 2017: Announcement as Nominee for Ambassador

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

June 22, 2017: Nomination for Ambassador Position

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

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

On August 3, 2017, Johnson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by voice vote, following a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, to become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

August 21, 2017: Sworn in as Ambassador

On August 21, 2017, 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, 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 Johnson IV was appointed as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom.

2017: Christopher Johnson assumes roles of CEO and Acting Owner

In 2017, upon Woody Johnson becoming the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Christopher Johnson assumed the roles of CEO and acting owner of the Jets.

2018: Overseeing Relocation of the U.S. Embassy

In 2018, Johnson oversaw the relocation of the United States Embassy in London to a new location in Nine Elms.

August 2019: Donation to Donald Trump's Campaign

By August 2019, Johnson had donated $1.5 million to Donald Trump's presidential campaigns and inaugural committee.

February 2020: Donations to Trump's Re-election Campaign and the RNC

In February 2020, Johnson gave $575,000 to a fundraising committee for Trump's 2020 re-election campaign, and $355,000 to the RNC.

May 2020: Donation to America First Action, Inc.

In May 2020, Johnson gave $1 million to America First Action, Inc., a pro-Trump super PAC.

2021: Resumption as Chairman

In 2021, Johnson resumed his role as chairman of the New York Jets.

2021: End of Ambassadorship

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

2021: Woody Johnson Resumes Position as Chairman

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