Rick I. Johnson
In 2001, bestselling author and speaker Rick Johnson founded Better Dads, based on the urgent need to empower men to lead and serve in their families and communities. Rick's books have expanded his work to include influencing the whole family, with life-changing insights for men and women on parenting, marriage, and personal growth. Inspiring and equipping through innovative multimedia presentations and seminars, Rick's resources, methods and personal approach have been transforming the lives of men, women, and their families for over ten years.
Rick speaks at many large conferences across the US and Canada and is a popular keynote speaker at men’s and women’s retreats and conferences on parenting and marriage. He is a nationally recognized expert in several areas having been asked to deliver papers at venues such as the County of Los Angeles Child Abuse Prevention Conference and the State of New York Fatherhood Conference. Rick’s work with men and fathers was recognized when he was invited to the White House as part of the Champions of Change ceremony in 2012.
Prior to becoming a bestselling author and speaker, Rick was a small business owner for 16 years, owning and operating an environmental engineering firm. He attended George Fox University receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management and Organizational Leadership, and has a Masters Degree in Education from Concordia University. He is a veteran of the United States Navy, has served on the Board of Directors for several community and business associations, and coaches high school basketball in his spare time. Rick has been featured in many national publications such as New Man Magazine, Crosswalk.com, Christianity.com, Christianity Today’s Men of Integrity, Relevant Magazine, Pentecostal Evangel, Thriving Family, and Proverbs 31 Ministries Magazine.
He is the bestselling author of the books, That’s My Son: How Moms Can Influence Boys to Become Men of Character, Better Dads Stronger Sons: How Fathers Can Guide Boys to Become Men of Character, The Man Whisperer—Speaking a Man’s Language to Bring Out His Best, That’s My Teenage Son: How Moms Can Influence Boys to Become Good Men, and The Power of a Man: Using Your Influence as a Man of Character all by Revell Publishing. His book, Becoming Your Spouse’s Better Half: Why Differences Make a Great Marriage, is being used by many churches across the country for their couples study groups. Rick’s newest books are, That’s My Girl: How a Father’s Love Protects and Empowers His Daughter, The Marriage of Your Dreams: A Woman's Guide to Understanding Her Man, and How to Talk so Your Husband will Listen and Listen so Your Husband will Talk. Rick's books have been translated into 13 different languages.
Rick has appeared on over 250 radio programs and television shows around the United States and Canada. He is the former co-host of a live, weekly radio show called, “An Hour of Honesty and Common Sense.” Rick is actively involved with many men’s and family ministries as well as speaking from the pulpit at various churches.
Rick and his wife Suzanne have two adult children and live in Gresham, Oregon.
Suzanne L. Johnson
Suzanne Johnson serves as a corporate officer and advisory board member of Better Dads. She is an intricate part of planning and implementing the organization’s seminars for women and family relations.
Suzanne was a full-time mom in her children’s growing-up years. For fourteen years, she has been teaching middle school and high school special needs students. Additionally, she is the former Director of Development and Implementation for an after-school talented and gifted (T.A.G.) program at a local elementary school.
Together with Rick, Suzanne delivers inspirational talks and presentations to churches, schools, and retreats on a variety of subjects, including "Respecting Your Husband to His Potential" and "The Do's and Don'ts of a Healthy Marriage." Surviving abuse and abandonment at a young age, Suzanne's testimony of overcoming a damaged childhood to become a successful wife, mother, and woman is an inspiration. And her exuberant and relatable style is a favorite with audiences.