WALTER JOHNSON, AIR CARGO PIONEER, DIES AT 84
Walter H. Johnson Jr., an air cargo industry pioneer and one of TIACA’s founders, died Oct. 16.
Johnson was chairman of TIACA’s education committee. He was an active supporter of TIACA and an authoritative speaker, writer and researcher who used his expertise and knowledge to promote the worldwide air cargo industry.
“His inspiration, hard work, devotion and support helped to take TIACA from just an idea to being the worldwide representative body of all parts of the air cargo business,” said Larry Coyne, president of TIACA.'
Johnson spent nearly 30 years serving on TIACA’s Air Cargo Forum committee and later as a member of TIACA’s Executive Council and Board of Directors.
In 1999 he became one of only a handful of industry leaders to be inducted into TIACA’s Air Cargo Hall of Fame.
In the last year, he was instrumental in developing an educational foundation, the Center for Air Commerce Studies, a partnership between TIACA, the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, and the Foundation of Transportation, Trade and Commerce.
Johnson initiated the first air cargo pick-up and delivery service in the United States. In 1958, he joined Capital Airlines as an executive vice president and board member, and was active in negotiating the merger between Capital and United Airlines. After the merger, he went into advertising and public relations. He served in various positions with the companies that formed Interpublic, rising to executive vice president and vice chairman of Interpublic. He also worked as vice chairman of the Saturday Review.
Johnson is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marcelle, children Gina, Hank, Kevin, Bruce, and 18 grandchildren.
Services will be held today at St. Aloysius Church in New Canaan, Conn.