Fmr White House Aide To Lead Johnson Publishing

CHICAGO – Linda Johnson Rice, chairman and CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. (JPC), announced today that Desirée Rogers has been named chief executive officer of JPC. Rice will continue as chairman. ”Desirée has a proven track record of successful business leadership,” said Linda Johnson Rice. “She is a longstanding confidant and a savvy businesswoman who is committed to the strategic growth of Johnson Publishing Company. I look forward to working side by side with her as we embark upon this next phase for the company.” Rogers will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company. She will be responsible for aligning core business strategies for all brands.

Rogers is recognized as an innovative leader with a proven track record of developing creative solutions to transition organizations. She is known as an exceptional communicator and a committed community advocate. Rogers is expert in repositioning brands, utilizing their core essence to engage customers and extending them into the communities they serve. These traits will complement Rice’s institutional knowledge of the business and her role as Chairman in preserving the legacy of the company.

“I am humbled to have such an incredible opportunity. I consider it an honor to help continue the 68-year legacy of such a phenomenal company and its iconic brands,” said Rogers.

The New Orleans native received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Wellesley College and earned a master of business administration degree from Harvard University’s Business School. She has served on numerous non-profit and corporate boards including the Museum of Science and Industry, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Equity Residential, a REIT and the Northwestern Memorial Foundation.

About Johnson Publishing Company
Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. (JPC) is the world’s largest African-American owned-and-operated publishing company. Through its brands, which include Ebony and Jet magazines, Fashion Fair Cosmetics and Ebony Fashion Fair, Johnson Publishing Company has always aimed at increasing African-Americans’ pride in themselves by showing their past and present achievements to America and the world. The late publisher and chairman John H. Johnson founded Johnson Publishing Company in 1945. His daughter, Linda Johnson Rice, carries on the legacy as chairman of the company.