1999 Hall of Fame Recipient

Walter H. Johnson (1917 – 2001)
Founding member of the first airline cargo department in the U.S., received Air Cargo World Lifetime Achievement Award 

Walter H. Johnson Jr. - Had a career which mirrored the air cargo industry from its beginning. Upon graduation from the University of Notre Dame he joined American Airlines as a reservations agent. When American launched the first airline cargo department and field organization he became an original member. His airline cargo experience spanned the full range from street salesman to vice-president. Along the way he was a member of the American Airlines team which launched the first U.S. airfreight service.

His career was interrupted by World War II where he served in the pacific as a U.S. Marine Logistics Officer. As a logistics officer, his role was invasion logistics planning and combat support. He left the marines with the rank of captain.

After postwar cargo service with American where he rose to be Vice President and Sales Manager, he left to become Senior Vice President-Marketing and member of the Board of Directors of Capital Airlines.

When Capital merged with United he left the airline industry for a broader marketing experience. As Executive Vice President of The Interpublic Group of Companies his clients included a wide range of governments and airlines. Finally founding his own company Quadrant Marketing Ltd. He has served airlines, manufacturers and related industries as consultant and advisor. As a consultant he played a leading role in the first study of a Global Cargo Alliance.

In this capacity he joined the Executive Council of The Air Cargo Forum and served the air cargo industry as analyst, commentator and Education Chairman of TIACA as well as serving two terms as president.