Marketing executive and entrepreneur Greg Johnson ’90 to deliver UNC Hussman’s spring 2022 commencement address

UNC Hussman 1990 graduate and marketing executive Greg Johnson will address the school’s Class of 2022 at its Saturday, May 7, departmental commencement ceremony at 3:30 p.m. in Carmichael Arena.

Johnson has devoted his life and career to helping people and brands maximize their potential. Over the past 30+ years, he has helped build some of the world’s most influential brands by leading, mentoring, developing and advising people and companies to connect authentically. He is currently vice president of the school’s Foundation Board and will become president of the board in 2023.

Johnson is the founder and managing director of Orbital Socket, a brand engagement company based in Charlotte, North Carolina, that creates captivating brands and ignites business growth by building relationships between brands and people. Orbital Socket has worked with market-leading companies like Coca-Cola and the Jordan Brand. Johnson served as advertising director for Nike Basketball and helped launch the Jordan Brand division as its marketing director on the founding executive team during his nearly eight years in Beaverton, Oregon. 

He is former president of BooneOakley Advertising in Charlotte, helping the agency become one of the most sought-after advertising and digital communication agencies in the Southeast working with Bojangles, the Charlotte Hornets, the Wells Fargo Golf Championship, State Farm, Cheerwine and Autobell. He began his career at J. Walter Thompson as a media planner,  worked in account management for Saatchi & Saatchi and as an assistant product director with Johnson & Johnson. A minister with a master’s degree in theology from Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon, Johnson was called to leave Nike to spend 7 years and 7 months with a large church in Portland, where he worked to support the homeless of that city.

“Giving back is such an important part of personal and professional development. It adds a dimension and perspective to life, making money, people and time that I am not sure I would have attained otherwise,” said Johnson. “I am a better human and definitely a better professional because of this time spent at the church.”

Johnson is a gifted speaker. Among the top organizations that he has addressed are the Harvard Business School, the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School and the Congressional Black Caucus.

Johnson was inducted into the NC Media & Journalism Hall of Fame in 2013. He has been honored as a Diversity, Inclusion and Global Engagement (DIG) Champion by the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, and he was recently listed as a top African American leader in Charlotte. His company, Orbital Socket, has won multiple Emmy and American Marketing Association awards. 

Johnson  is married to Carole Hedgepeth Johnson, also a UNC Hussman graduate. The couple has four children — Benjamin, Mycah, Meyah and Carolina. Meyah is a first year Carolina student who plans to major in Biology/Pre-med.