Department of Horticultural Sciences

The Director

Jim Johnson has been director, curator, and instructor of the Benz School of Floral Design since 1980. He was personally selected by Mr. Benz to serve as the standard-bearer for the school, to further its reputation for fresh ideas and innovative design, and to maintain the esteem in which the Benz name has been held for more than 60 years.

In addition to his excellent credentials, Mr. Johnson takes a warm and personal interest in each of his students. Many of his students become lifelong friends.

Mr. Johnson earned a bachelor of science degree in retail floriculture from Michigan State University and master of agriculture degree in floriculture from Texas A&M University. He holds the prestigious Benz Chair of Floral Design at Texas A&M, where he is a Distinguished Lecturer in the Department of Horticultural Sciences.

Besides his duties at the Benz school, Mr. Johnson is a frequent guest instructor. His classes have been presented to national and state florist associations, private floral organizations, and the University Program Center for Field Studies in InterAmerican Affairs and International Education (Mexico, Spain, Holland, Germany).

Mr. Johnson also has been a featured designer for the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), and he is the author of five Texas Certified Florist Program courses. He has twice hosted the National Council of State Garden Clubs Flower Show Instructors Symposium, as well as served as host and co-chairman of the AIFD Southern Symposium.

At Texas A&M, Mr. Johnson directs the program in retail floriculture, including floral design and cooperative education, while serving as Benz School director. He serves as advisor to the student American Institute of Floral Designers chapter, the Floriculture Club, and Pi Alpha Xi. Under his direction, floral design students at Texas A&M have won numerous awards.

Before coming to Texas A&M University, Mr. Johnson was the owner/operator of his own florist shop in Indiana for 14 years and designer for numerous regional and national design schools here and abroad.

Among his many honors are the Achievement Award from the Texas State Florists' Association, the Honor Professor Award (bestowed by the student body at Texas A&M), and Midwest Designer of the Year. Mr. Johnson's memberships include the AIFD, the Texas State Florists' Association, the Society of American Florists, and the Central Texas Allied Florists' Association.