United States Ambassador to El Salvador encourages HHS students to push themselves beyond their boundaries.
Ronald Johnson was just like every other teenager in Hartselle, AL, during the 1960’s. He spent his weekends at the downtown movie theatre, his summers at the town swimming pool, his Friday nights at the football stadium, and his sixteenth birthday in the Dairy Queen drive-thru. But his decision to enlist in the military after high school led him down an unordinary path. He has spent his life serving in the military, working for the CIA, and is the current United States Ambassador to El Salvador.
Johnson has fond memories from Hartselle. He enjoyed hanging out with his friends, along with practicing for and attending Hartselle sporting events. He always enjoyed spending time outdoors, walking through forests, exploring caves, and fishing. Once, while roaming through a local cave, he was lost for so long that rescue had to come help him. In school, he enjoyed history and social science classes. He specifically enjoyed his teachers Mrs. Key and Coach Cain; they made an impression on him by teaching him self-discipline and the basics of learning. Throughout his four years, he was a part of HHS Chorus, football, track, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
His career ideas varied throughout his youth: from firefighter to dentist to rock star. However, upon graduation in 1970, Johnson decided to go into the military. After rising through the ranks, Johnson was promoted to Colonel, one of his proudest accomplishments. It wasn’t just a personal accomplishment, but he believed it recognized his family, the people around him and all the sacrifices they made. In his official biography, Johnson said, “Often when I was in dangerous life-threatening situations in the past, I would recall my life in Hartselle and tell myself, that is the American way of life that I am defending. That’s why I’m here.” He spent 20 years on active duty, sporadic and continuous. Then, he spent 22 years in the CIA. Most of his work with the CIA is classified, but he served as the CIA’s Science and Technology Liaison at the U.S. Special Operations Command.
In 2018, Johnson was nominated by President Trump to be the United States Ambassador to El Salvador. In 2019, the U.S. Senate approved Trump’s nomination, and Johnson and his family visited the White House for his swearing in ceremony. As the Ambassador to El Salvador, he hosts press conferences and public appearances to share information with the public. His daily schedule is full of meetings with leaders: the president of El Salvador, the president’s ministers, and ambassadors from other countries. His main goal is to discuss ways to carry out the U.S. President’s national security policy for the country. Since becoming the Ambassador, he has implemented many successful programs to increase the security and economic opportunities. This past year, the violent crime in El Salvador was at a record low. Covid-19 has brought more tasks for Johnson: continue to increase foreign investment and create jobs in El Salvador. When the pandemic hit, El Salvador shut down the airports, and U.S. citizens were unable to return to the U.S. Johnson immediately worked to safely return them. Charter flights were flown to El Salvador empty, loaded up with U.S. citizens, and returned to the U.S. Johnson and his team flew over 18,000 Americans back to the United States.
He has enjoyed learning about the Salvadoran culture: the language (since he must communicate primarily in Spanish), the traditions, and the lifestyle. This is a culture and country he has grown to love. He enjoys exploring the country and discovering beautiful places, just like he did in his youth in Hartselle, AL.
He gives Hartselle High School students the same advice he gives to everyone else:
“Be unlimited. If you never push yourself beyond your limits you will always be limited. That’s how we grow and that’s how we achieve things.”
Johnson never imagined to hold the position he currently has, so he encourages students to work hard and see where life will take them.
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