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About Timothy Johnson
Timothy E. Johnson, Ph.D., is a financial and investment consultant, a Professor of Finance at the University of Cincinnati, and the Founder of Johnson Investment Counsel, Inc. He started the firm in 1965, based on his interest in sound fundamental security analysis and portfolio management as well as his desire to bring theory into practice and provide comprehensive financial counsel. He is the author of three textbooks, has written numerous journal articles on finance, and has spoken at many seminars around the country.
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Education
- University of Illinois, Ph.D. Finance
- University of Akron, M.B.A. Finance
- North Park University, B.A. Economics
Community involvement
- Abundant Life Foundation
- Board Member
- President
- Covenant Foundation
- Board Member
- President
- River Cities Capital Fund I, II, III, & IV
- Advisory Board Member
- Ronald McDonald House Charities
- Board Member (former)
- Corry Manufacturing
- Board Member (former)
- University of Cincinnati, College of Business
- Dean's Advisory Council (former)
- Dean’s Executive Cabinet (former)
- Xavier High School
- Investment Committee Member (former)
- Cincinnati Opera
- Board Member (former)
- City Gospel Mission
- Board Member (former)
- Drake Center
- Board Member (former)
- University of Cincinnati Foundation
- Board Member (former)
- UC Health
- Investment Committee Member (former)
Highlights and recognition
- Kent Clapp CEO Leadership Award for
- Community Service (2012)
- University of Cincinnati Center for Entrepreneurship, Lifetime Achievement Award (2010)
- University of Cincinnati College of Business, Outstanding Professor of the Year Award
- University of Cincinnati Foundation Chairman Award
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneurship Award
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Timothy's story
Here’s what it was like for Tim Johnson growing up: The principal had a paddle, people didn’t lock their doors, and everyone went to church. It seemed like all the kids took piano lessons, although Tim took up the violin. People lived in modest homes, everybody had enough to eat, and the worst thing anybody did was smoke in the boys’ room. Life was good. But then, Tim says, it’s always been good.
He was raised in Pittsburgh, the son of a mechanical engineer whose name appears on a few dozen patents from the war years. Tim became a taxpayer at age 12. He had four routes delivering the Pittsburgh Press. His bicycle cost $20, and he paid for it himself.
His first job out of college was with the management-training program at B.F. Goodrich. Four nights a week, he worked on an MBA at Akron U. His boss used to ask to see his term papers. A year later, the company treasurer called Tim, said he’d been reading his term papers, and suggested it was time for Tim to move upstairs.
He had dabbled in investing with his dad, then, started doing investing on his own. In 1965, his first client came along. People began asking him for help with investing, then another, then another. Next thing, he decided to try his hand at teaching. He found a job at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. Oh, and while he was at Macomb, he became a pilot.
At the same time, he was accepted at the University of Illinois in Urbana, to pursue a PhD. So there he was, a full-time student and a full-time teacher. The two schools were 150 miles apart. He made the commute twice a week for two years. He seems to recall that the speed limit was about 80 or something.
“I was not a very idle individual. A lot of it has to do with a sense of purpose. You don’t waste time. It’s like, God gives you a life – what are you going to do with it? Aren’t we all called to be servants to one another?”
He married his wife, Janet, in 1970, and took a teaching job at the University of Cincinnati. His goal was to teach finance at the doctorate level. He settled in College Hill. He and Janet have four grown children – Paul, Sarah, Susan, and Linnea.
He drives an 11-year-old car that looks still good to him. It is of no small satisfaction that he built his business, as he says, one brick at a time – satisfaction, not pride. For fun, he likes to help people with their finances. He does own a set of golf clubs. He doesn’t see the cup as half empty or half full. He sees it as all the way full.
He is filled with gratitude for the family he has and for his parents and grandparents. “I’m a stoic Swede,” he says. “My grandfather came over on the boat from Sweden and worked hard and told all his kids, ‘We will speak English in this house.’ My dad was a product of that. So am I.”
Timothy E. Johnson, Ph.D.
Founder
Our Services
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Individuals and Families
Deep expertise. Individualized solutions.
We know each person and every family is different than the next. We take the time to get to know you—your life, expectations, and goals. Our team-based approach provides a range of services and resources that allow us to build solutions that are in alignment with your vision for the future.
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Investment Management
Our in-house team of full-time research analysts works in concert with our advisors as we construct each portfolio, balancing risk and return for each client’s specific situation.
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Retirement & Cash Flow Planning
Your path to retirement is as unique as you are. We work closely with you to identify your goals, address your concerns, and ensure long-term financial security by developing a tailored and comprehensive financial plan.
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Income Tax Planning
Our advisors understand the relationship between taxes, financial planning, and investments. We work with clients and their tax professionals to provide a coordinated solution in line with the overall plan.
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Estate Planning & Trust Services
Our team of estate planning attorneys and trust professionals within Johnson Trust Company provide counsel to ensure the right decisions are made to preserve and transfer your wealth over time.
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Charitable Planning
At Johnson Investment Counsel, we facilitate charitable giving in flexible and impactful ways. We also develop and implement a family philanthropy plan for you and your loved ones that will guide multi-generational charitable giving that is clear in purpose and produces measurable results.
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Asset Protection & Insurance
We focus on balancing clients’ risk exposures and current protections to mitigate the impact of unforeseen events on their financial goals.
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Business Solutions
Services tailored to your business’ current stage
From establishing a robust corporate retirement plan strategy to helping you plan for what comes after the sale of your business, our firm is here to help you navigate your business’ needs. Our team’s expertise and experience make us a knowledgeable and professional partner to ensure long-term success for your business and your employees.
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Corporate Retirement Plans
We provide a full range of services to help businesses deliver the best retirement plan options to their employees and also handle the responsibilities of plan management and employee engagement. We manage the details so you can focus on the needs of your business.
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Business Transitions
From helping to formulate a financial plan for the windfall that comes with selling a business to providing corporate guidance, we work closely with business owners to create and implement solid financial strategies. The earlier we can get involved, the greater impact we can make. We provide guidance pertaining to efficient tax planning, charitable planning, and family legacy planning.
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ESOP Clients
As an employee-owned firm ourselves, we have a unique perspective and deep understanding of employee-owned businesses. This makes us a great partner to help guide the impact and success that employee-owned stock option programs can have in your organization.
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Nonprofit Organizations
Explore our institutional investment services
Our disciplined approach to asset management dates back to our beginnings and our founder, Tim Johnson. Our firm was founded from his desire to put his values into practice and merge proven portfolio management strategies with his genuine interest in helping people and institutions. We still carry forth this mission today, providing customized solutions for institutions and endowments through Johnson Asset Management. This team works closely with our clients to create and implement a long-term plan for your organization that will align your current needs and future goals.
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Investment Policy Consultation
One of the cornerstones of our long-term success is our ability to partner with organizations to thoroughly understand their investment goals and objectives. We help craft and refine Investment Policy Statements to properly reflect the needs of the organization.
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Fixed Income Asset Management
As a fixed income manager, our Quality-Yield investment approach to building portfolios combined with our extensive experience and continuity of our investment team, has continued to result in success for our clients.
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Equity Asset Management
Our strategies emphasize high-quality, predictable cash flow securities at appropriate valuations. All of our equity strategies are built with the expectation of exceptional risk-adjusted results.
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Asset Allocation
We work closely with you to ensure a disciplined approach to strategic and tactical allocation within the context of risk management.
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Customized Solutions
By developing a partnership with our clients, we are often in a position to offer tailored solutions.
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