A Bit About Me

I was raised in a small farming village (population 128) in north central Wisconsin.  I helped my extended family and neighbors year-round - whether it was making hay and milking cows, shoveling driveways, or cleaning the church.  Knowing everyone in a town imparts a unique sense of what a community is, its collective values, and how we best work together to support one another.  I appreciated that everyone knew me and were more than happy to help teach and guide me, from the time I was a toddler until I graduated high school and moved.  This sense of community and a strong desire to help others is why I am running for West Melbourne City Council.
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Saturday morning family selfie (2016)
I moved to West Melbourne six years ago and have lived in south Brevard County for 17 years.  My wife Liz and I have four children, ages 17 to 24.  I am a veteran, having enlisted at age 18 and making the rank of chief (E-7) before leaving the Navy after nine years.  While in the Navy, I completed a B.S. degree.  I left the service to attend graduate school under a prestigious U.S. Department of Energy Nuclear Engineering Fellowship.  Previously, I was a professor of environmental health physics at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.  I moved to Brevard in 2005 to work as a scientist for the United States Air Force.  I am a 2019 graduate of the City of West Melbourne Citizens Academy.
PictureStamp image from USPS.
​Since moving to Brevard, I have been involved in many community leadership roles, including:
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  • Serving as an elected representative on the School Advisory Committees at my children's schools:  Suntree Elementary, Longleaf Elementary, and the West Melbourne Science for Science. 
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  • Appointed to the City of West Melbourne Board of Adjustments in 2019, and again in 2021. 
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  • Five years on the Congregational Council at my church, including four years as Congregation President. 
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  • Serving as a Scout leader in Pack 224, including as the Pack Committee Chair.
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  • Villas of West Melbourne HOA director

​​As time is available, my hobbies include philately and playing the Civilization series of video games.   
Political advertisement paid for and approved by William Johnson for West Melbourne Council