Ret. Army National Guard Colonel and head of Ward Johnson Masonry & Tile, Bob Johnson earned induction into the BIAW Hall of Fame on Nov. 10. Johnson has served the Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association (SICBA) for more than 40 years.

After joining SICBA in 1984, Johnson quickly became active in leadership. He served on the SICBA membership committee from 1986 through 2023 when he started rolling back his business to retire. He’s served on the SICBA Golf Committee from 1996 through 2014, and on every other SICBA Committee before serving as SICBA President in 2002 and again in 2005, when he was named SICBA’s Builder of the Year. He joined the BIAW Board of Directors in 1999 and continues to serve now as a Life Director, after leading the association as president in 2014. That same year he was named BIAW Builder of the Year.

Johnson stands out not just for his leadership in BIAW, but his service to his country, community and industry. While he was Lt. Colonel in the Army National Guard, he helped SICBA raise funds to purchase chicken for local food banks in Skagit and Island counties, pledging to dye his hair red if the group reached 10,000 lbs. in donations. When he showed up for a weekend duty with red hair, his commanding officer learned of his commitment to his community and gave him special recognition. Soon after he was promoted to Colonel.

That’s just one example of what sets Bob apart. Over the years, he’s served on the growth board for both Island County and the City of Oak Harbor when they developed the Growth Management Act. He’s built homes with Habitat for Humanity, helped repair homes for disabled and senior residents unable to do the work or pay to have it done as part of Hearts & Hammers and sponsored local Little League teams.

As an advocate for the industry, he also showed up to support the industry’s needs, once driving across the state from the BIAW Board Meeting in Yakima to testify to prevent detrimental legislation from moving forward.

"He has been in the trenches for over 40 years doing the good work behind the scenes to make sure the industry is productive and respected," said SICBA Executive Officer Wayne Crider. "These things coupled with his continuing desire to be involved and contribute to the industry and local communities makes him the perfect choice for the BIAW Hall of Fame."

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