Fran was the first Cougar Office Secretary from 1968 to 1970 when Sahuaro was being established. She then left Sahuaro and had a long career in the Sunnyside Unified School District, the last 16 years of that career as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent and Governing Board. She has worked tirelessly for the Foundation serving as assistant to her husband, Harry Johnson, in establishing the Foundation, then serving countless terms on the Board of Directors. The last several years she has served as secretary and secretary/treasurer. She keeps records, does minutes, agendas, serves on committees, and edits mailing lists for the Cougar Tracks, golf tournaments and fundraisers. She does hundreds of mailings.
Fran also co-chaired the David Ashcraft Recognition Committee and sent out over 300 letters raising funds for the project. She prepared a beautiful presentation for each member of the TUSD Governing Board to seek their approval in naming the Fine Arts building the “David Ashcraft Center for Performing Arts”. In addition, Fran is a committed member of her church where she has been Deacon, Elder, and serving three years as secretary to the Elders. She was also Local Arrangements Chairman for their Regional Assembly held in 2008. Fran is a 30 plus year member of Phi Beta Psi, a non-academic Sorority, which raises funds for Cancer Research. She has served as Secretary and President as well as Southwest Province Organizer.
She has served as president of both the local and state educational office professional associations as well as President of the National Association of Educational Office Professionals. She has also served four years as editor for its magazine, The National Educational Secretary”.
After her 32 years in education, Fran became a travel agent for six years for Bon Voyage Travel and was recognized with awards of “Greatest Sales Improvement” in her second year and later as “Employee of the Year.” And, in her third career she served the City of Tucson as Executive Assistant to Council Member Carol West for eight years, working at the Eastside City Hall.