Robert S. Johns
Prior to beginning his long-term career as Chief Executive for the National Dental Association (NDA), Robert Johns had launched his career in Business Administration as a corporate executive. For 10 years, he held various management positions with the RJ Reynolds Company, and left the company as a Regional Sales Manager for the Midwest. Following his departure, he pursued studies towards a MBA in Health Services Administration.
During his tenure as the Chief Executive and Executive Director the National Dental Association, he led the organization of minority health professionals through major challenges into national prominence. Initially, he established management policies and procedures, designed and implemented financial systems for accounting and reporting, and focused on staff development. He was responsible for dramatic increases revenues; developed and delivered a myriad of member services; and served as Chief of Staff for 25 Association Presidents, helping to identify goals, establish and implement agendas, grow and develop the organization.
A skilled diplomat and trusted ally, he fostered enduring relationships with many other health and dental health organizations, student groups, and academic institutions as well as with multi-cultural groups and the Congressional Black Caucus, the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, civic and civil rights organizations. He facilitated the establishment of the NDA Corporate Roundtable (NDA/CRT), which has gained the distinction of fostering some of the most innovative corporate partnerships both within and outside of the dental industry. Under his directorship, the number of Corporate Partners rose from three (3) to thirty-four (34). He is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), The National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP) and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). He served on Advisory Boards for the Nevada Tourism, and the Hawaii Convention Center.
Throughout the course of his career he has received many awards, but his most treasured are those he has received from the Student National Dental Association (SNDA). He is an avid supporter and mentor to dozens of dental students and recent graduates. In fact, he implemented a pre-dental internship program at the NDA headquarters office in Washington, DC. In October 2005, he was awarded an Honorary Fellowship in the prestigious Academy of Dentistry International, one of the very few non-dentists to receive this honor. He served as National Advisor to the American Dental Association Institute for Diversity and Leadership until 2024. Currently, he serves as a Board member of Hear to HEAL, Inc., a non-profit devoted to health equity.
Robert is married to a Past President of the NDA, Hazel J. Harper, D.D.S., M.P.H. and a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Their family consists of one daughter and three (3) grandsons. They enjoy traveling and spending time with family.
