Steve Johnson

From early on, Steve knew he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father as an electrician. His deep appreciation for the trade led him to join the Local #8 IBEW apprenticeship program in Toledo in 1980. Steve learned craftsmanship and a strong work ethic while there as well as the value of cultivating relationships. In 1987, Steve joined the team at Rudolph Libbe Group. During his tenure, he has been an integral team member in roles that have included superintendent of the electrical division, operations manager, vice president of operations, senior vice president of construction and executive vice president. In 1998, RLG set out to dramatically change how the organization looked at safety. Steve was part of the team that developed and implemented a plan to make this a presiding culture and it remains a core value, today. This along with the company’s ethical, fair and transparent culture and its reputation for excellence – from accounting to trucking – is a great source of pride. Steve was named president of GEM Inc. in 2015 where he focuses on strategic leadership. His ability to guide and nurture the team has become pivotal to success. Because of this, Steve and the team celebrated a major milestone as GEM Inc. was named the 2016 Midwest Specialty Contractor of the Year by Engineering News Record (ENR) magazine. Steve is also recognized for his forward thinking, his ability to navigate through challenges and an overall practical approach. This also contributes to his in-depth understanding of GEM customers’ needs and the solutions required to enhance their businesses. Steve is based in the Toledo office of GEM Inc. He is first vice president, executive board of The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC), president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwest Ohio and a board member of the National Maintenance Agreement Policy Committee (NMAPC).