In Memory: Rogers Johnson, Age 62

Stratham, NH. Rogers Jason Johnson, 62, passed away on November 12, 2020. He was born August 27, 1958 in New York. Rogers came from humble beginnings. He started life as the baby of the family, with five brothers and two sisters. He was the only child born north of the Mason Dixon line – a true Northerner and a true New Englander.

His family settled in Rye, New York but not in a big, million dollar home. He settled on the other side of town near a park where the boys could play sports 24/7 along with his Johnson relatives, the Kennedy cousins, the Nixon cousins and other family members. The boys were strong, respectful and fun-loving. They were called “The Presidential Backfield” whenever they played ball or sports in the area. Let’s just say, whatever sport they were playing, they stuck together and they never lost. Rogers was a natural athlete at every sport – football, baseball, hockey, rugby, tennis, swimming and golf.

He was also a natural born negotiator, and that is where his real story begins. To list his life accomplishments would take more time than anyone reasonably has, so an executive summary follows. He was an Aide on the Ohio State Senate from 1980-1982. He was the Senior Account Executive/Sales for Travelers Insurance Co from 1982-1987. Rogers worked from 1987-1997 at Alexander and Alexander Benefit Services in Greenwich, Connecticut as the Vice President selling large and small group insurance. From there he came to New Hampshire, where he had attended Phillips Exeter Academy as a youth. He managed the Alexander Consulting Group in Newburyport, Massachusetts until 1996. He then worked in an executive capacity at Aon Consulting from 1997-2000, followed by Acordia/Wells Fargo until 2003. From 2003-2006, Rogers was self-employed. In 1999 he achieved a Masters of Health Administration from UNH in Durham, New Hampshire.

In 2001 Rogers experienced a feeling of dissatisfaction with his local and state government, so he ran for the office of state representative in the New Hampshire General Court, won, and served his district in Stratham from 2001 to 2006. During that time, he was selected as the House Majority Whip, the first African American to hold this position in the state’s history. He also served on the House Finance Committee, Health and Human Services Committee and the Rules Committee. He was awarded the Black America’s Political Action Committee (BAMPAC) Leaders of Tomorrow Award in 2004, the New Hampshire Healthcare Association recognition award for Long Term Care Services in 2003, and the New Hampshire Business Council recognition for support of small business in 2003. Rogers also participated in Leadership New Hampshire in 2002 and was an active member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. After serving as a New Hampshire state representative, as in baseball, Rogers was just getting warmed up.

He was asked by then President George W. Bush to go to Washington, D.C. to serve in the U.S. Department of Education as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs under then Secretary Margaret Spellings. He held this position for three years until 2009. After that, Rogers came back to New Hampshire to spend time with his family and to work on various political campaigns as everything from general organizer to policy advisor to speech ghostwriter. He also continued to sell insurance as an independent sales agent. He still felt he had more to do in the great state of New Hampshire, and routinely volunteers his time on various boards as director, leader or advisor in public and private sector industries.
You may know Rogers best as the elected Treasurer of the New England Area Conference of the NAACP, representing seventeen NAACP branches in five New England states, as the President of the Portsmouth Branch NAACP and an all-around “good guy,” but he is much more. Johnson was awarded the Seacoast NAACP’s Freedom Fighter Award in 2014.

“Rogers was a great friend,” said Gov. Chris Sununu in a statement Friday. “He was always laser-focused on making New Hampshire a more diverse and equitable state, and thanks to his tireless leadership and advocacy over these last few years, New Hampshire has made tremendous strides. We will carry on this work in his legacy and honor, and all of New Hampshire mourns his passing.” Johnson also served as chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusion, as a member of the governor’s COVID-19 Equity Response Team and the Commission on Law Enforcement Accountability, Community and Transparency.

Rogers has worked tirelessly to help others. He has helped to pass necessary legislation in New Hampshire to keep vulnerable populations in the state in a position of power to resolve their own issues. He has worked with state and local law enforcement authorities to right the wrongs done to minority-based populations in New Hampshire and nationwide by unjust educational and government-based administrations. He has boldly stood up and fought on issues from domestic violence to zoning for men, women, students and children of all ethnicities who did not have a voice of their own. He has never backed down on an issue when it was right to push for a real result.

When asked previously by a prominent New Hampshire business community member if he would consider running for governor, Rogers’ response was simply, “Who me?”
But whenever he is asked by anyone to take on a leadership position where he is sure to make a difference, either as an advocate for change or in the lives of others, Rogers’ response is always “I’ll do it.”

Rogers Johnson has tried his best to succeed at everything he has ever been asked to do – by anyone at any time. He has learned life lessons the hard way, and the “my way,” and played and coached at sports the way he lives life – to never, ever, ever, give up.
Rogers enjoys the unending support of his wife Poppy, sons Jay and Jeremy, extended family, Rye, New York childhood friends, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity brothers, political friends and adversaries alike, committee members, neighbors, colleagues and all of us in this branch.

Recently, Rogers was very involved with his son Jeremy’s being in the US Navy. Rogers was also interested in helping bring to NH a diverse environment for professional opportunities.
He is survived by his loving wife, Poppy Johnson, 2 sons, Jay Johnson and Jeremy Johnson, his mother Mary who turned 100 years old last August, siblings, Ronnie, Jerry, James, and Marie, and many other extended family members.

Rogers was predeceased by his sister, Emma and brothers Willie and Calvin. SERVICES: Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 18, 2020, from 12 pm to 3 pm at the Brewitt Funeral Home, 14 Pine Street, Exeter, NH. Masks and social distancing are required.
Funeral services will be private.

A celebration of life will be announced and planned for the Spring, 2021.

Read a New Hampshire Public Radio report of Rogers passing.