Chief Executive

Karen R. Johnson

Karen R. Johnson is the Chief Executive of Power Across Texas. She brings a wealth of experience in law, government and private industry that define her leadership.

An attorney, former briefing attorney for the Texas Supreme Court and the holder of the distinguished law graduate award of St. Mary’s University School of Law Alumni Association, she has been recognized for her management and leadership skills in several important fields.

She was elected the first woman president of the Travis County Bar Association and was elected to the State Bar Board of Directors, serving on the Executive Committee. She was also the first woman Executive Director of the State Bar of Texas. Karen was a special assistant in the Texas Governor’s office and was Assistant Comptroller for Legal Services in the State Comptroller’s office for Bob Bullock – two posts that have given her unique insight into Texas public policy.

As president of Entergy, Texas – a major power company in Texas – Karen had the opportunity to know first-hand how entrepreneurial activities impact business and industry as well our state and our communities. She currently sits on the Energy Future Holdings Sustainable Energy Advisory Board in Texas and the Electric Power Research Institute’s Advisory Board headquartered in California.

As a private attorney, Karen has represented clients before state agencies, the legislature and the executive branch on a wide range of issues including business, health and taxation issues. She is a former Texas Assistant Attorney General and has worked in the Texas Legislature.

Her achievements and her awards for outstanding performance are a matter of record.  She has served on the Governor’s Business Council. The State Bar has honored Karen many times. She has also been recognized with the Distinguished Alumni award from the Fort Worth Independent School District.  Karen is the holder of the Outstanding Woman of the Year award from the Executive Woman in State Government and Volunteer Extraordinaire by the Junior League of Austin. The Austin Business Journal honored Karen as a winner of the Profiles in Power Award.

Karen just finished her year as Chair of the Texas Society of Association Executives. As of 2012 she has been named the 12th President of The Austin Club, serving previously on the Executive Committee. She was the President/CEO of United Ways of Texas for several years.

In Austin and throughout Texas, she is recognized someone with a “can-do” management style that is linked to an in-depth understanding on how public policy shapes the future of Texans and Texas families. Currently she serves on several advisory committees for state agencies in Texas. Nationally, she serves on the Global Impact Board of Directors and is a past member of the CARE Board of Directors.

With more than 40 years of executive and management experience, Karen is very proud to be leading Power Across Texas to help Texans understand the great power industry in Texas.

 

Learn more about Power Across Texas and our mission here.