THE GLOBE — The time has come for the next generation of leadership at Worthington’s oldest construction and realty company.
Brothers Kyle and Jason Johnson became officially fourth-generation owners of Johnson Builders & Realty Inc. (JBR), which has operated locally in Worthington for more than 80 years, on Jan. 1. The pair purchased the business from their father, Steve Johnson, and uncle, Mike Johnson, who had been its owners since 1985.
“I think they’re excited to be taking a little time off,” Kyle said with a smile.
For the past three and a half decades, Mike has led JBR’s building side of its operations and Steve its real estate side. Those roles will now be filled by Kyle and Jason, respectively.
Both have been well prepared for their new roles.
“We both grew up on the construction crew through high school and college, and we each came back here and started working full-time,” Kyle said.
Kyle earned a business degree from St. Cloud State University, graduating in December 2007 and moving back to Worthington the following month. Jason also attended St. Cloud State for two years before ultimately receiving a bachelor’s degree from Augustana University in 2010 and immediately coming to work full-time at JBR. Jason recently earned his master of business administration degree online.
Read more: Time for the next generation
