Jackie Johnson has been honored as one of Pennsylvania's 2005 Best 50 Women in Business, an honor bestowed by the governor's office. Johnson, of McCandless, is founder and chief executive officer of Corazon Consulting in Ross.
"This is the 10th anniversary of this award, and I think it shows that Pennsylvania is making strides for women-owned businesses," she said. "But we still have a long way to go."
Corazon works with companies in the health care industry, developing cardiovascular programs.
Johnson has always worked in health care. She earned a diploma as a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital in 1971.
"I then earned my [bachelor's degree in nursing] from Penn State University at night school. It took me seven years," she said.
Over the years, Johnson worked as a nurse before deciding to further her education. In 1986, she graduated from the Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh. "I had four kids at the time, with my twins, the youngest, in kindergarten," she said.
After graduation, Johnson worked at Mercy Hospital as executive director of the Mercy Heart Institute.
"It was a great job. It served like an apprenticeship for me for owning my own business because I learned so many things," she said. "And I am very proud of the work I did for them because I developed the cardiac program there."
In 1995, Johnson left the institute to start her own business. "I thought that I would be more effective if I wasn't in a corporate environment. I also knew that I didn't want to work for a competitor," she said. "I feel that I am a change agent and would be better as a consultant."
Two years later, she co-founded another business, Health Care Visions Ltd. Then in 2001, she founded Corazon.
The company has become a family affair. Her son, David Fuller, is the director of administration, and his wife, Jill Fuller, is marketing manager.
The company self-published a book, "Getting to the Heart of It: Proven Strategies to Bypass the Competition in Cardiovascular Services."
"Jill was very instrumental in getting our book published. She brought her expertise and showed us how to get it done," Johnson said.
Last year, Johnson became chief executive officer of the company, turning over the presidency to her sister, Karen Hartman. "She is responsible for the day-to-day operations. It was just too much for one person, so I now focus on the business development and forming alliances," Johnson said.
She received her award in Harrisburg at the end of May at a reception for all of the women being honored.
"It was so nice. We had a tour of the governor's mansion and met his wife, and then we had a dinner. We took a group from the company," she said. She also took her mother, Margaret Buterbaugh. "That meant a lot to me," Johnson said.
"When I receive an honor or award, though, it is never just about me," she said. "I could never receive it without my staff. It is really an award to the company."
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