Robert L. Johnson is Founder & Chairman of The RLJ Companies. In this role, Johnson heads a business network that owns or holds interests in a diverse portfolio of companies in the consumer financial services, private equity, real estate, hospitality, professional sports, film production, gaming, and automobile dealership industries.

Prior to forming The RLJ Companies, Johnson was Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Black Entertainment Television (BET), which was acquired by Viacom Inc. in 2001. Johnson continued to serve as Chief Executive Officer of BET until 2006.

Johnson was named by USA Today as one of the “25 Most Influential Business Leaders” of the past 25 years in 2007. Johnson is the former majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. Johnson serves on the board of the Council of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Johnson holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois and a Master’s from Princeton University.