Johnnie Driessner

            Johnnie Driessner earned his Associate of Arts degree from Concordia Lutheran College, Austin, TX, and his Bachelor of Science in Education from Concordia Teachers College, Seward, NE. He completed coursework towards Masters of Science in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln and transferred into a Ph.D. program within the same department. In 1993, Johnnie earned his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at Portland State University. Johnnie joined the faculty of Concordia University Portland in 1980 as Assistant Professor of Biology. During his 35 years at Concordia he has served as Chair of the Biology Department (1983-1985), Academic Vice President (1985 - 1997), Concordia’s first Provost and Chief Operating Officer (1997-2000), he was deployed to the Concordia University Educational Network (CUEnet) as Director of Academic Programming (2000-2001), returned to serve as Chief Information Officer (2001-2004), Executive Director of the Concordia University Foundation (2004-2008), and Executive Vice President and Chief Vision Officer (2008-present). In his current role he provides leadership as the University articulates its strategic vision, identifies the strategies for realizing that vision, and defines the means by which progress towards that vision will be assessed. 

            Johnnie has served in volunteer roles with many regional and national non-profits and currently serves on the Gresham-Barlow Web Academy, Board of Directors (2009 – present), the Board of Directors of the Association of Lutheran Development Executives (2009 – 2012), the “I Have a Dream” Foundation of Oregon Board of Directors (2007 – 2015), and the Portland Lutheran Association for Christian Association Board of Directors (2007-2013). He completed the Thrivent Leadership Fellow (2008-09) program, a year-long program that identifies, encourages, develops, and equips qualified senior leaders with clear potential for top-level leadership, for positions in Lutheran agencies and institutions.