Karlton Johnson
Chief Executive Officer, National Space Society
Chairman, National Space Society Board of Governors
Karlton D. Johnson (Colonel, United States Air Force-Retired) is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Space Society and Chairman of the Society’s Board of Governors. As the senior executive overseeing a variety of business operations and objectives, he shapes major strategic decisions regarding the NSS’s direction, leads the organization’s c-suite cadre, and steers the organization towards successful outcomes. In the latter capacity, he serves as the primary spokesperson for the Board of Governors, provides overall leadership to enhance board effectiveness and performance, and fosters board cooperation in support of the Society’s goals.
Johnson is a senior executive leader with over 36 years of subject matter experience in strategic leadership, partnership creation, mission assurance, and the development of emerging space markets. He brings extensive corporate board experience and has advised internationally to drive large-scale program initiatives from requirements to full implementation.
His distinguished career in the Air Force included senior leadership roles where he oversaw strategic operations and communications technologies essential to national security. In the private sector, Johnson is influential towards enabling the growth of space market expansion opportunities for Fortune 500 firms. Additionally, he successfully engages with Congressional leaders to garner support for various space-related legislative initiatives and advocates for commercial and civil space programs, space traffic management, planetary defense, and space economic development advancements.
Johnson holds several advanced degrees and executive graduate certifications from reputable academic institutions and serves on numerous boards, including Microchip Technology Inc., AFCEA International’s Board of Directors, and Explore Mars Inc. Board of Advisors. He is the Chairman Emeritus of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body, Inc., the Department of Defense’s top program for digitally securing the $768 billion defense industrial base protecting 3.2 percent of the United States’ Gross Domestic Product and national security.
