Professional Honors
  • John A. Blume Fellowship, Stanford University
  • Foundation Scholar; Marmaduke-Backhouse, Francis Spring, Clark, and Collen Memorial Prizes, Trinity College Dublin

Paul Johnston is the current Chairman of Exponent's Board of Directors. Dr. Johnston joined the Company in 1981, was promoted to Principal Engineer in 1987, and to Vice President in 1996. 

In 1997, he assumed responsibility for the firm's network of offices. In 2003, he was appointed Chief Operating Officer and added responsibility for the Health and Environmental Groups. In 2006, he assumed line responsibility for all of the firm's consulting groups. Dr. Johnston was named President in May 2007. He was named Chief Executive Officer and elected to the Board of Directors in May 2009. Dr. Johnston stepped down from his position as Chief Executive Officer and served as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors from May 2018 to May 2019.  

Dr. Johnston received his Ph.D. (1981) in Civil Engineering and M.S. (1977) in Structural Engineering from Stanford University. He received his B.A.I. (1976) in Civil Engineering with First Class Honors from Trinity College, University of Dublin, Ireland, where he was elected a Foundation Scholar in 1975.

The Company believes that Dr. Johnston's service as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and extensive and unique experience with the operations of the Company, qualifies him to serve as a director of the Company.