Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Earvin Johnson Jr., plays an integral role in realizing the business goals of Johnson Development Corporation (JDC). Mr. Johnson serves as the principal spokesperson for all JDC businesses, providing strategic planning leadership and stimulating new business development for the Company. In furtherance of the Company's overall mission, JDC's development projects and related operations benefit target communities, by creating much-needed jobs and employing local, minority contractors and service vendors.

Although Mr. Johnson is universally known for his illustrious, 13-year career with the National Basketball Association, he has redefined himself as a businessman with the objective to revitalize and provide quality entertainment and services to neglected, urban communities. In this role, Johnson encourages recognized business leaders to restore services to, as well as develop new business enterprises in, under-served communities throughout the United States.

Beyond his work with JDC (which is best known for establishing Magic Johnson Theatres and Starbucks Coffee Company in urban communities), Mr. Johnson heads Magic Johnson Entertainment, Magic Johnson Productions, and Magic Johnson Music. Johnson spearheads and engages in Company community relations and philanthropic endeavors. The Magic Johnson Foundation is a separate non-profit organization focused on addressing and improving the health, educational and social needs of inner-city youth and supporting related charitable organizations.

Johnson frequently speaks to corporations, organizations, colleges and universities about his ongoing success and experiences. America Online, American Express, Farmers Insurance, Fortune Magazine, Washington Mutual, Rochester Institute of Technology, Samsung, Best Buy, Sun Microsystems, University of California - Irvine, Choice Hotels, Arden Realty, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals, and the Coca-Cola Company are some of the major organizations that he has engaged.

A committed philanthropist, Johnson continually finds time to support worthy causes. As a United Nations Messenger of Peace, Johnson imparts to youth about drugs, violence and other important social issues. As a Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Vice President and Event Chair for the annual Magic Johnson Sports Star Award Dinner & Auction, Johnson has helped MDA raise in excess of $1.5 million to support the Association’s Los Angeles-area research, diagnosis, and community service programs. The Magic Johnson Foundation’s Taylor Michael’s scholarship program has enabled 3,000 students to attend nationally accredited colleges and universities. Johnson has also worked with the Make a Wish Foundation, United Negro College Fund, Starlight Foundation, American Heart Association and Urban League. He was a United Nation’s Day Co-Chair and he currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the American Cancer Society Foundation.

Roasted by the Los Angeles Friars Club in October 2002, Mr. Johnson was honored with their Lifetime Achievement Award. The recipient of numerous other awards and honors, Johnson was recently given the Howard University Messenger award and The Los Angeles Business Journal’s 2002 Community Leadership Award. He was named one of the country’s most influential businessmen by Fortune magazine, “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Crenshaw Chamber of Commerce and one of the 100 Most Powerful People in Los Angeles. Johnson received the 1998 Boston College Excellence in Community Leadership Award, the 1998 PRAME President’s Award, and the Summit 2000 Ronald H. Brown Award for Leadership. Johnson has earned five NBA championship rings, led the Los Angeles Lakers to nine appearances in the NBA finals, and was a member of the original Dream Team, winning a gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. During his career with the NBA, Johnson won three MVP awards and played in 12 NBA All-Star Games. In September 2002, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Prior to joining the league, Johnson captured a state high school championship for Everett High School (Lansing, MI) in 1977 and an NCAA title at Michigan State in 1979. It was while playing at Everett that Johnson earned his now famous moniker, “Magic,” from Michigan sportswriter Fred Stabley, Jr. Johnson's continued success proves that his magic is a positive force both on and off the court.

Born and raised in Lansing, Michigan, Mr. Johnson currently resides in Beverly Hills, California, with his wife Cookie and their children, Earvin Johnson III (EJ), Elisa, and Andre, Johnson’s first son.