ADA, Okla. - East Central University (ECU) announces the appointment of Dr. Carlos E. Johnson as campaign co-chair for the ECU Forward capital campaign.

ECU Forward is a comprehensive $36.3 million capital campaign dedicated to advancing ECU’s future. This initiative will enhance the ECU campus, strengthen academic programs and ensure that ECU students will continue to be provided with life-changing educational opportunities at an affordable cost.

"Any success I have had is due do the quality instruction that I received at East Central University that prepared me for graduate school and the workforce,” said Johnson. “I am deeply indebted to ECU to preparing me for life as a businessman, professional and an individual."

A graduate of Wilson High School, Johnson earned his Bachelor of Science degree from ECU in 1964. He began his professional career as an accountant and member of the controller’s staff in the University Business Office at Oklahoma State University (OSU). He completed his Master of Science degree at OSU in 1966 and earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation shortly afterward. The following fall, he chose to begin OSU’s Ed.D. program, commuting from Ada to Stillwater, approximately 115 miles each way while simultaneously working as a professor in the accounting department at ECU.

In 1970, Johnson was named Dean of the ECU School of Business and held that position until he left academia to work in the public accounting sector. He served as a partner with Horne & Co. and later KPMG, where he stayed for 25 years until his retirement.

Following retirement, Johnson continued to contribute to the accounting profession in various capacities, including roles at Lisle Compton Cole & Almen LLP, BOSC, Inc., Eide Bailly LLP, and BKD LLP. He also served as a visiting professor at the University of Oklahoma.

In addition, he has served multiple roles with the Oklahoma Board of Accountancy, including three years as Chairman, and with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy, where he served terms as Chair and Vice-Chair.

With over 40 years of experience in accounting, Johnson has specialized in financial institutions, higher education, government, no-for-profit and retail accounting. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades. In 2012, he received the Public Service Award from the Oklahoma Society of Certified Public Accountants and was inducted into the society’s Oklahoma Accounting Hall of Fame.

He has also been recognized as a 1988 ECU Distinguished Alumnus, the 2003 Southeastern OSU School of Business Distinguished Lecturer, and the OSU School of Accounting’s Distinguished Professional. In 2014, he was named one of the “100 for 100 Years” outstanding graduates of the OSU Spears School of Business and was inducted into the Spears School of Business Hall of Fame in 2015, along with a variety of other significant accolades and accomplishments.

-ECU-