Tara Johnson
Secretary of the Board
Tara Johnson grew up in Lynwood, CA and moved with her parents to Bloomington, CA in her senior year of high school. She graduated from Fontana High School and began her educational journey at Chaffey College. She later transferred to San Diego State University, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History.
While in college she began a retail career that would last over two decades. She spent over ten years working for Nordstrom as a salesperson, department manager, and as part of the Children’s Shoe buying team. Her time at Nordstrom took her to New Jersey as they expanded into the Northeast markets. She left Nordstrom to work for Ralph Lauren and helped develop three of the top selling items for their outlet division. Tara then relocated to Buffalo, NY to support her husband and his journey through law school and worked for several small retail chains. During this time she also ran a small niche market retail operation.
Tara later settled in California, with her family, and dabbled in real estate, retail buying and retail operations. In 2008, she returned to Chaffey College as an Assistant Textbook Buyer for the Campus Store. Her passion for leadership and professional growth led her to pursue a Master’s Degree in Management at the University of Redlands. She was awarded the degree in 2012 and began teaching, part time in 2013. Her teaching interest include: Business, Leadership, Retail Merchandise Management, Small Business Management, Customer Service, Social Media Marketing and Entrepreneurship. In 2018, Tara obtained a full time tenure track position in the School of Business and Applied Technology at Chaffey College.
In addition to her professional obligations, Tara volunteers with several organizations that promote social action, physical and mental health, and economic development in the African American community. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service sorority, where she holds a position on the National Heritage and Archives committee.
Finally, she is a wife and mother of three thoughtful, dynamic, and accomplished children.