Jay L. Johnson

Previously, Mr. Johnson was executive vice president and chief financial officer of DiamondRock Hospitality Company, a publicly-traded real estate investment trust (REIT) formed by Marriott International and headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.

Prior to DiamondRock, Mr. Johnson served as senior vice president and treasurer of Host Hotels & Resorts, an owner of luxury hotels and the largest lodging REIT. As a member of the senior management team, he was responsible for the company’s financing activities globally and completed over $14 billion in debt and equity capital transactions in 12 countries. He also has held various senior leadership roles at KeyBank Real Estate Capital and Bank of America, among others.

Mr. Johnson is a member of the board of directors and audit chair at SBA Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: SBAC), an owner and operator of wireless communications infrastructure in North and South America, Africa and the Philippines.  He also is a former board member at Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL), a global consumer goods company, with well-known brands including Rubbermaid, Coleman, Graco, Paper Mate and Sharpie. 

A native of Bastrop, Louisiana, Mr. Johnson received an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in economics from Morehouse College. He and his wife, Erica, reside in Baton Rouge and have two daughters, Katherine and Caroline.