MEET ANDREW JOHNSTON

• 1969  Second born in the Johnston family. Growing up to be an on-the-chubby side, blue-eyed, strawberry blonde. Looks a bit like mom’s side of the family.
  
  
• 1973  Isn’t ready to go to kindergarten. Runs away from school on the first day, with sister, teacher and principal chasing him down the path home.
  
  
• 1974  Gives kindergarten another go. Becomes avid matchbox car collector but refuses to play with them in the sandbox like the other boys. Likes them in mint condition.
  
  
• 1980  Falls in love with Olivia Newton-John, spending hours on the living room floor in front of his turn-table singing along – most likely affecting puberty and the changing of his voice. The strawberry blonde hair browns as he matures.
  
  
• 1985  Thinks he might enjoy architecture. Late homework = lots of lettering sheets = really cool new handwriting, but lack of interest due to class subject matter. Mom declares ban on black and buys all colorful clothes for Christmas. Continues to don mostly black – better to blend in on alternative music night at the local bar.
  
  
• 1988   Graduates from high school.
  
  
• 1989  Gets the “easy” stuff out of the way at Grand Rapids Junior College. Takes a beginners course to photography. Watches commercials more than the television shows. Pulls tear-sheets of cool ads from magazines. Grows a goatee – the strawberry blonde returns.
  
  
• 1991  Accepted at Western Michigan University, following in dad’s footsteps. Rushes for Phi Chi Theta, the business fraternity. Puts together an amazing scrapbook as historian and gets re-elected each following year as an active member. Becomes treasurer of Ad Club.
  
  
• 1993  Graduates college with a degree in advertising.
  
  
• 1994  Yearns for more than Grand Rapids, Michigan has to offer. Debates over Phoenix, New York City or Chicago. Takes a weekend trip with friends to go dancing in the Windy City – declares it his new home and moves to Chicago.
  
  
• 1995  Gets first job in advertising as receptionist at J. Walter Thompson.
  
  
• 1996  Despite kudos of comparison to the likes of Herb Ritts and Bruce Weber, as well as constant harassment from friends to make photography a career, he takes a job as the office manager at Kym Abrams Design.
  
  
• 2001   Homesick. Moves back to Michigan.
  
  
• 2002  Accepts a temporary job at Amway Corporation, despite years of calling it “the cult.” Temp turns to permanent role with the Brand Communications and Training team.
  
  
• 2004  Falls back in love with Chicago on a weekend visit to a favorite street festival. Finds an apartment and retail job, returns to Michigan and packs his car.
  
  
• 2006  Interviews for an exciting opportunity with a new company and is hired on at Current. Becomes devastated that Pluto, the planet that rules his sign, Scorpio, is removed from the solar system.
  
  
• 2009  Celebrates three years at Current, supporting an ever-growing company.