Biography for

Bernard Johnson

After graduation from Brecksville, Bernard ("Bunny") was pushed by his mother to go to college. With the brain trust presence of Art Miller next door and Nancy Carter up the street (and at least 6 teachers in his neighborhood), he was not up for any more schooling. However, he attended Miami University, Fenn College, Kent State, Utah State and then graduated from Kent. He married his wife, Irene, and went to work in Denver. Then he received a scholarship to go to Case Western Law School, from which he graduated Order of Coif and he was also their Law Review Editor.

He received job offers from stuffy law firms and went to work for one of the big ones in Cleveland. They drank martinis and he drank beer; they liked private clubs and he liked honky-tonks. After a few years, he was hired away by a publicly-held real estate company based in New York as Secretary and General Counsel. Although work there was exciting and demanding, with private jets and all the baloney that goes with it, he was again hired away by a restaurant chain with which he spent many years as Executive VP and General Counsel. There was a lot of responsibility and long, but fun hours. Bernard also served on the CWRU Law Board of Overseers and as President of their Alumni Association. He worked for Senator Metzenbaum, and served as President of the local Chamber of Commerce.

Thereafter, he left Cleveland and went on his own into the real estate development and hospitality business based in Florida. This entailed traveling extensively to different parts of the world (3 million+ miles) combined with a number of both fun and difficult projects, especially in difficult times. The work was rewarding and kept him on his toes (or elbows when he was drinking beer).

Throughout, he was able to go deep-sea fishing in exotic places. He always released the fish (except in the poorer countries where the crew kept them as food). He “retired” twice over the years, but went back to work after playing all the golf he could stand. He and his wife Irene had two great children and three grandchildren. In 2007 after 42 years of marriage, Irene passed away during heart surgery.

Bernard still enjoys business and is always looking for something new. Recently, he started an art gallery in conjunction with one of his restaurants.