Dennis Johnson

Retired Founding Member

 

 

 

1) Hometown: I was born in Louisville, Kentucky.

2) Education:  I attended Catholic elementary and high school (1 year in seminary), and graduated from Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky in 1972 with a BA degree in Psychology.  I also obtained my Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations from The American College of Financial Services in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.

3) First Jobs:  I cut grass and shoveled snow from the time I was 10 years old.  During high school, I cleaned cafeteria tables after lunch and worked in the Men’s Deptartment at a local department store.  During college, I worked in the Library Audio-Visual Deptartment, as an attendant and mechanic’s assistant at a Texaco gas station, and as a late-night taxi driver.  My first “real” job after college was in the Training Deptartment at Commonwealth Life Insurance Company, as Technical Coordinator of Home Office Schools for agents and managers.  My mentor helped refine my writing and public speaking skills.

4) Family and Personal Life:  I grew up with three siblings in a middle-class family.  The best thing that ever happened to me was meeting my wife, Patty, while in college.  To this day, she has been my best friend and the love of my life.  We are blessed to have two wonderful daughters who have pursued professional careers and have become caring, genuine adults.  The joy of our lives arrived as two grandchildren whom we enjoy immensely.

5) Most Profound client experience:  During an Insurance review with a client who happened to be a community leader, he informed me he was going to drop a $500,000 term life policy that he felt he no longer needed.  I replied that he may not need it, but his wife definitely would if he died.  He shrugged, saying if I convinced her to keep it she could- which I did.  Two months later he was killed when his horse reared up and kicked him in the head.  When I delivered the life insurance claim checks to his widow, she cried, hugged me and said that this extra $500,000 meant everything to her being able to stay “in her own world”- which would not have been the case if I had listened to her husband.

6) What do clients need to know about Bluecap:  Bluecap, a mythological figure in 18th and 19th century England, led miners to their wealth and protected them against cave-ins and poison gases.  Just like Bluecap of old, we help our clients grow, preserve and distribute their wealth and protect those they love and care about.

7) Best Business Advice:  Hire the right people with a great attitude, and encourage them to realize their potential.

8) What is something most people don't know about you:  I was a basketball coach for Special Olympics Kentucky for 25 years.  That experience enabled and motivated me to incorporate Special Needs Financial Planning into my business model.  I value the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of these very special individuals and their families.