Dr. Ed Johnson is the President of University Growth Solutions LLC. UGS is dedicated to achieving the preferred futures of America's independent colleges and universities. The company partners with motivated institutions to create and execute distinctive, market-driven strategic plans, initiatives, and inspiring stories, driven by innovative, long-term revenue stream solutions that will fuel their futures.

With client partners, UGS provides turn-key strategic plans, operations solutions and implementation leadership in many areas, including structural, academic program, real-estate, enrollment, and alternative revenue streams growth.

In 2003, Dr. Johnson created University Realty Advisors, LLC to advise universities, cities, developers, and financiers on the development of branch campuses in the USA Sunbelt. Advisory services include environmental scanning, business plan development, academic consortium planning, and site master planning.

In addition to his Sias University service, Dr. Johnson currently serves on the Boards of Second Nature (chair), Prescott College (AZ) (Vice-Chair), Gainey Business Bancorp (chair), the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP), and the GREIT Liquidation Trust. Dr. Johnson's 30-year higher education career includes leadership positions in both public and independent higher education. His accomplishments include:

- creation of the America's first Law, Science and Technology Center at Arizona State University’s College of Law,

- creation of the America's first undergraduate program in social entrepreneurship at Sterling College,

- creation of the first international leadership degree program for Habitat for Humanity International at Sterling College

- creation of the America's first state-level public policy center for K-16 ethnic minority student achievement (Arizona), and

- creation of the America's first private-sector 529 College Savings Program in Arizona.

Dr. Johnson previously led two higher education organizations - Everest College Phoenix, and Everest University Online.

From 1997-2003, he also served as President of Sterling College (Kansas), a liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, and a Juris Doctor degree from Creighton University. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in History and Political Science from Morningside College (Sioux City, Iowa).