Ronald Johnson was confirmed by the Senate as Ambassador to Mexico on April 9, 2025. He has served the United States government for over four decades, first as an officer in the U.S. Army, then as a member of the intelligence community, and most recently as the U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador.
Among his various roles, Ambassador Johnson was the Central Intelligence Agency’s Science and Technology Liaison to the U.S. Special Operations Command, in Tampa, Florida. Prior to that, he was a Special Advisor to the U.S. Southern Command in Miami managing collaboration between the Command and the Intelligence Community. He worked on a wide range of regional issues including refugees, counter-narcotics, counter terrorism, human rights and tropical virus disease control.
Ambassador Johnson has held various other assignments, including as the Deputy Special Advisor to the Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command (2006 – 2008), and as a senior operations officer at the CIA. Ambassador Johnson served in the U.S. Army from 1984 – 1998 and retired as a Colonel. He also served in the Alabama Army National Guard, enlisting as a private in 1971 and reaching the rank of Captain before going on to active duty in the Army in 1984.
Ambassador Johnson earned his B.S. from the University of the State of New York, and his M.S. from the National Intelligence University. He is the recipient of numerous awards including an Honorary Doctor of Humanities from Williamson College, the Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – Joint Distinguished Civilian Service Award.
Own or work here?