Ray O. Johnson

Dr. Ray O. Johnson is an accomplished international business executive with extensive experience spanning academia, industry, government, military, and venture capital. He is recognized for his strategic vision and ability to manage large-scale technology programs that drive innovation and deliver value. His interdisciplinary expertise and leadership in high-stakes environments have made him a trusted advisor and leader in the technology and aerospace sectors. Dr. Johnson has served as a member of Rigetti’s board of directors since August 2019. He is currently an Operating Partner with Bessemer Venture Partners, which he joined in 2015. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, where he directed a workforce of 72,000 people across more than 4,000 programs, leading engineering, technology, production operations, global supply chain, program management, and logistics and sustainment. Additionally, Dr. Johnson had a 21-year career in the US Air Force. Dr. Johnson received a B.S. in electrical engineering from Oklahoma State University and a M.S. and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology, where he received the Distinguished Alumni award. Dr. Johnson is a Full Academician of the International Academy of Astronautics, a member of Tau Beta Pi, Eta Kappa Nu, and Phi Kappa Phi, and a Fellow of SPIE, AIAA, and IEEE.