Richard Loomis Johnson, Jr. ’78
What made you want to join Phi Psi?
I rushed the house in the summer of 1977 and met some great guys, a few of whom were from my hometown of Columbus, Indiana. I didn’t really know any of those guys super well then, but it provided a connection. My dad was an SAE and spoke highly of his experience. I just seemed to fit in with the guys at Phi Psi, so I decided to give it a try.
What are some of your cherished Phi Psi memories?
There are many great stories about a group of 80 guys with some extra time on our hands. The college years are so rewarding that they provide a great opportunity for exploration. You are still trying to figure out who you are and what you want to do with your life. Everyone is in the same position, allowing exploration to take you down many different paths. One of the things I appreciated about Phi Psi was that the house didn’t have a specific type of person defining it. It truly was a group of guys with diverse interests who wanted to excel in the things they each cared about. That resonated with me then, and it still does today.
Are there specific skills or experiences you use from your time in the fraternity today?
One of the many things I learned at Phi Psi was leadership. I served as President of the house for three terms, and I still consider it one of the best things I’ve ever done. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to do many things, but I still view that experience as pivotal in shaping my leadership style. When I lead today, I focus on the interests of everyone involved, aiming to foster improvement. It’s a wonderful way to navigate life by considering how to enhance things for others while striving to make the world a better place, a mindset greatly stimulated by my time at Phi Psi.
What surprised you about Phi Psi after you joined?
I didn’t really know what to expect, so it was a great journey of exploration. But one thing I can say for sure is that I made some of the best friends of my life. It’s a unique time when you have the opportunity to develop really close friendships, and living with someone allows you to truly get to know them. Residing with 80 guys who have diverse interests is a fantastic experience. I believe it’s also a unique period in life where everyone is at a similar stage of figuring out what’s next for them, including their goals and aspirations. In many ways, the world feels very open to everyone at that stage.
Since graduating, how have you stayed connected or involved with Phi Psi or brothers?
Life goes through lots of stages, and the connections with Phi Psi brothers for me has changed over those years as well. But the coolest thing is that those connections are there for good and even if you don’t see a particular brother for a decade or more, when you meet again it’s like there was no time in between. The bonds run very deep with great friendships built at Ph Psi, and they literally last a lifetime.
Since graduating, how has your career evolved? What industries have you worked in, and what are your current responsibilities?
I’ve always been an entrepreneurial business person at heart. I think I first noticed that interest when I was between 8 and 10 years old, but I know it was there even before that. I enjoy learning, growing, and exploring new things. My dad worked in the commercial gasoline and oil business, and I joined that industry when I graduated from IU. In that first year, I opened our first company-operated convenience store, which was somewhat new for the time. Over the next twenty years, we built that into a 200-store chain called Bigfoot Food Stores. We had a great sale of those stores, and throughout the years since then, I have owned and grown several successful companies like Indiana Limestone Company, Central Restaurant Products, Lenny’s Sub Shops, and today, I’m working with my daughter Annie at Black Jewell Popcorn, and with my son at 15 STARS Fine Aged Bourbon. It’s always been a family affair for me, and one of the greatest things has been working closely with my dad and now doing the same with my kids in successful businesses.
Outside of work, what volunteer or passions do you pursue?
Outside of work, I’m an outdoorsman and a nature lover. I hunt and fish, and I tend to gardens and plant fruit trees. I’m interested in land conservation, so I collaborate with organizations that support this cause. I am also a history enthusiast. In the community, I continue to work with IU on the IU Foundation Board and volunteer with several schools at IU where my interests align. I’m also active in various state and local initiatives aimed at making Indiana a better place for future generations.
What advice would you give current undergraduate brothers to maximize their fraternity experience?
It’s a special time in life when you have far more freedom and opportunity than you realize, which is always the case. So, try to make the most of it. Explore as many different things with as many different people as possible. The next set of years can be anything you want them to be, so aim high and don’t give in to what the naysayers say. As one of my friends said, “bite off more than you can chew, and then chew like hell.” Finally, good luck, and enjoy moving forward on your own exciting journey into the future you are creating!