John Johnson: Celebrating a Living Legend At David Weekley Homes

Legends sometimes live and work among us. They breathe the same air as us. They're just down the hall, or they're there in the huddle, or they're out in the field with the front-liners. They invariably tap into the rarest of blends — equal parts bravery, relentlessness, and humility— and they stand out, and they stand for, and the raw material of their character and action makes a legend. Homebuilding has two such living legends in David Weekley and John Johnson. After 34 years joined at the professional hip, John Johnson will step back from the day-to-day operations of David Weekley Homes on October 1, 2024.

It's the moment to celebrate a living legend and take note of some of what that means in homebuilding today.

When John Johnson first joined David Weekley Homes in 1990, David Weekley recognized that while he had built a strong foundation for the company, there were certain things he couldn’t do alone to take it to the next level.

I could get the company to a particular place,” David Weekley recalls, “but I knew we needed someone with John’s abilities to push us further, to build the operational muscle and the disciplined, high-performance culture that would allow us to grow.”

For 34 years, Johnson became the operational heart and soul of David Weekley Homes, driving its transformation from a respected regional player into one of the nation’s largest privately held homebuilders. As of 2023, the company operates in 19 markets, delivering over 5,400 homes and generating more than $3 billion in revenue. Johnson’s relentless focus on people, process, and performance has been the backbone of that success.

A Leader’s Love for His Team

At the core of John Johnson’s leadership was an unwavering love for the people he worked with. He consistently deflected credit for the company’s achievements back to his team, believing their passion, creativity, and dedication were the real engines behind the company’s success.

The good we’ve done, the milestones we’ve reached — those are the direct result of an incredible team,” Johnson often said. “I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside them, to empower them and trust them to make things happen.”

This focus on team empowerment is critical to why David Weekley Homes was recognized as a Fortune “Best Place to Work” for 17 consecutive years under Johnson’s leadership.

John always put people first,” David Weekley notes. “He created an environment where every team member felt respected, empowered, and valued. That’s why we became a place where people wanted to work and thrive.”

John Johnson’s leadership was not only about empowering his team but also about making sure that the company had a lasting impact far beyond its business. As Martin Freedland, a longtime business advisor, puts it:

John is the best I ever worked with—bar none. His ability to connect with people while never losing sight of the business is unmatched. His humility and genuine care for people make him one of a kind.”

As Johnson steps back from the day-to-day operations, his legacy will continue to live on through the team he empowered and the culture he helped create.

John has been instrumental in shaping a culture where team members are more than just employees,” Chris Weekley, now David Weekley Homes President says. “They’re owners, they’re decision-makers, and they’re given the trust and freedom to make an impact. As John always says, ‘Define reality, give hope,’ It’s not just a mantra for him; it’s the way he led us every day. He was always real about challenges but just as passionate about showing us the path forward. That’s why people love working for him.”

Johnson's work ethic, humanity, and people-first focus leave a legacy that will guide David Weekley Homes for years to come.

John is a living legend,” Freedland emphasizes. “And legends like him don’t fade—they leave a lasting imprint.”

Leading Through Adversity: The Global Financial Crisis

One of the most challenging periods during Johnson's tenure was the Global Financial Crisis of 2008-2010, which rocked the homebuilding industry. It tested not only Johnson’s leadership but also the character and values that defined David Weekley Homes. The company had to make the tough decision to lay off nearly 40% of its workforce during that time.

Letting people go was incredibly hard,” Chris Weekley recalls. “We knew these were people who had helped us build the company, and the decision was heartbreaking.”

Johnson and David Weekley worked tirelessly to ensure those who were laid off received not only severance but also resources and support to land on their feet.

John led us through that time with a combination of realism and hope,” says David Weekley. “He was clear about the challenges, but he never lost sight of the future we were working toward. He always said, ‘define reality, give hope.’ And that’s exactly what he did.”

It was no accident that some of the folks who parted involuntarily with the company not only did so graciously, but they actually took time to send notes to Johnson and Weekley – apologizing for the fact the leaders had to endure such a sad time for the company they loved. Many of those same people returned when the market picked back up, and continue to work there.

The Legacy of Leadership

John Johnson’s leadership style was one rooted in presence — both physically and emotionally.

John believed in being there for his people,” David Weekley shares. “I can’t tell you how many flights he took over the years, how often he’d be on the ground in our different markets, connecting with our teams, ensuring they had what they needed to succeed. He preached the importance of being present, and he practiced it every single day.”

As David Weekley Homes moves into its next chapter — what David Weekley has called David Weekley Homes 3.0 — Johnson’s legacy will continue to guide the company. His philosophy of empowering people, focusing on high performance, and never losing sight of the long game has left a lasting imprint on the company’s DNA.

The unique ownership model is one of the most distinctive aspects of the company’s structure under Johnson’s leadership. Its team members own one-third of David Weekley Homes, and another third is held by Charitable Trusts, supporting over 100 charities in 35 countries.

We’ve always believed that success isn’t just about the bottom line,” says Chris Weekley. “It’s about the impact we can have on the world, and John was a huge advocate for that vision.”

A Living Legend Steps Back

As Johnson steps back from day-to-day operations, he does so with the deep respect and admiration of those who have worked with him over the past 34 years.

John has been the best I’ve ever worked with, bar none,” says Martin Freedland, a longtime business advisor. “His ability to connect with people while staying laser-focused on performance is what makes him exceptional. He’s one of a kind.”

David Weekley, too, reflects on the profound impact Johnson has had:

John didn’t just help grow the company — he grew the people in it. His leadership was about so much more than profits. It was about building something lasting, something that made a difference.”

Leading Through Adversity and Success

Looking back on their partnership, David Weekley describes how he always trusted Johnson to tackle the company’s operational challenges with a steady hand and a clear head.

I could dream up new ideas, new ways to grow the company,” Weekley says. “But John was the one who made sure those ideas became reality. He could see how to turn vision into action and keep us moving forward, even in the toughest times.”

Johnson’s leadership during the most challenging period, notably the Global Financial Crisis, demonstrated his ability to lead with heart and strategy.

It wasn’t just about surviving the storm,” Johnson reflected. “It was about making sure that even when things were tough, we stayed true to our values — taking care of our people, and keeping our eyes on the long-term future.”

As David Weekley Homes continues to grow and evolve, John Johnson's legacy will remain at its core: a leader who gave his heart to his team, empowered them to be their best, and never lost sight of what truly mattered.