Owner & CEO of Barrios Technology
Sandy Johnson began her career as an engineer supporting the Skylab and Space Shuttle programs. She is one of the founders of Barrios Technology and became President and CEO of the company when she purchased it in 1993.
Johnson has held numerous positions at Barrios, including technical roles, project management, contracts and pricing, business development, and corporate management. Under Johnson’s leadership, Barrios Technology has continually held prime government contracts (primarily with NASA), grown from $10 to $125 million in revenue, and expanded to the commercial space industry.
Johnson is active in several community organizations, including the United Way of Greater Houston, which named her its Volunteer of the Year in 2015. In addition to serving on Challenger Center’s Board, she is a past Chairman of the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership and a board member of her alma maters, the Clear Creek Education Foundation and Communities in Schools-Bay Area.
Johnson has received personal recognition for her achievements, including the University of Houston Clear Lake (UHCL) Presidential Medal, the third recipient of this award in UHCL’s history. The Houston Technology Center recognized her Aerospace Entrepreneurship with their Lifetime Achievement Award. She also received one of NASA’s highest honors, the Distinguished Public Service Medal.
Johnson holds a B.S. in Mathematics Education from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from the UHCL, both of which have recognized her as a Distinguished Alumnus. She enjoys traveling, reading, playing pickleball, and, most importantly, spending time with her three grandsons.
