Chairman David V. Johnson

David V. Johnson, Chairman of Victor International Corporation and Bay Harbor Company, L.L.C., is internationally respected as a successful entrepreneur and luxury community developer who is committed to creating unique living and working environments that exist in ecological harmony with the land. In 2003, Johnson and Bay Harbor were awarded the prestigious international Award for Excellence by the Urban Land Institute for excellence in design, planning and development. Once named Entrepreneur of the Year by USA Today, Johnson has also been hailed as Environmentalist of the Year by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and, most recently, as Bloomfield Hills Rotary Club's 2006 Distinguished Community Leader and the 2006 Developer of the Year by the Building Industry Association.   

A native of Detroit, Johnson's real estate career began as an undergraduate at Michigan State University in East Lansing, where he leased and operated seven gas stations. Graduating from MSU in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in packaging engineering, he joined a prominent Birmingham, Michigan, area real estate development and brokerage company, serving as its president from 1973-74 before forming his own brokerage firm, Maple Associates, Inc.

In 1976, he founded Abbey Homes of Michigan, Inc., which quickly became the leader in the luxury land development and custom home building market in Michigan. Eight years later he consolidated most of his real estate interests into a single corporate entity, Victor International.

In 2000, Johnson founded the Victor Institute for Responsible Land Development and Use at Michigan State University, which addresses the complexities of land use issues and provides research-based information to the public.

Johnson has supported a host of local and national organizations including the American Heart Association; the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute; Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; Child Help USA; Children's Hospital of Michigan; the College for Creative Studies; JVS; North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy; Portage Lake Bible Camp; the University of Michigan Cancer Foundation; the Women's Committee for Hospice Care; On My Own of Michigan and Therapeutic Riding, Inc. The latter agency is particularly near to Johnson, who overcame a broken neck suffered in a 1978 swimming pool accident. In 1988 he established the Victor Foundation, providing charitable contributions to foster programs for children, the physically challenged and young adults.   He is a founding member of the Bay Harbor Foundation, which contributes to the advancement of educational, cultural, social, and other charitable community endeavors of importance to northern Michigan.

Johnson has significant involvement with the Urban Land Institute, as a trustee and as a member of the Recreational Development Council.  He also sits on the Board of Governors for the ULI Foundation and is a member of the ULI Detroit Steering Committee.  Johnson’s memberships include the World Presidents' Organization (WPO), Chief Executive Officers (CEO), the Detroit Presidents' Organization (DPO) and the National Association of Realtors. His former affiliations include serving the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a State Waterways Commissioner and the Board of Directors of Flagstar Bancorp. Johnson is also a former member of The Young Presidents Organization (YPO).  In addition to his degree from Michigan State University, Johnson holds an honorary doctorate from Cleary University in Ann Arbor, Michigan and is an annual participant and group leader in the Presidents’ Program at Harvard Business School.

Johnson, his daughter, Samara and wife Pamela are active enthusiasts of Tennessee Walking Horses, which they ride for pleasure. He is also a boating enthusiast and enjoys bird hunting.