Trevor Johnson
Tasks CEO
Since joining Tasks Unlimited as CEO in January, Trevor Johnson has made it a point to build connections across the organization, from staff to participants to community partners. In that spirit, Tasks Peer Specialist Tasha Mitchell recently sat down with Trevor to talk about his background and his first few months on the job.
Where did you go to high school?
I went to Apple Valley High School and the School of Environmental Studies, at the Minnesota Zoo. I participated in Band, intramural ultimate Frisbee and Theater Tech Crew.
Where did you go to college?
I attended Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota. While earning my B.A. in Psychology, worked at the help desk in the IT department, and joined the Green Club, working to keep our environment healthy. [Editor’s note: Tasha also learned this “little golden nugget,” as she put it: Trevor was also a DJ for the college’s weekly techno music program!]
Tell me a little bit about your family.
My spouse, Missy, and I have been married for 22 years and have two kids, 17-year-old Lindley and 14-year-old Ledger, who are both very involved in theater. We enjoy taking trips, getting outdoors, and sitting down for a movie and homemade pizzas on Fridays.
Are you currently a member of or do you volunteer for any organizations?
I volunteer with my son’s scout troop, help out with my kids’ theater activities and the booster club, and I’m on the St. Mary’s University Master of Social Work Advisory Council.
What past experience most influenced who you are now?
I’ve witnessed, directly, the impact that mental illness has on people and their families. It is that, combined with the influence from my family and friends, my education and work history, my values, connections to community organizations, and witnessing the path to recovery that inevitably paved the road to my destination at Tasks.
Will you share an inspiring connection or conversation you have had with a program participant or staff member?
Intensive Residential Treatment Services Coordinator Linda K.’s empowerment and engagement is an inspiration. She uses the knowledge and experience she brings to connect with new participants, helping them to feel at ease, and helping them reach their goals.
How will you ensure that Tasks continues to prioritize participant-centered care?
Opening and maintaining conversation and communication with participants. My door is open to everyone, and I will use my role to ensure we have feedback from participants, staff, and families.
What is a skill or experience that you bring from your past work, that you think is most helpful here at Tasks?
Connection! I come to Tasks with fresh eyes that will bring new energy to our work today and set the stage for services that can be developed in the future.
What made you decide to come to Tasks?
I was interested from the moment I first heard of the opportunity. I already knew some of what Tasks offered and heard positive stories of Tasks from people in the mental health and advocacy community. The more I learned about Tasks, the more my interest grew. One thing that stood out was the core value of inter-dependence. In grad school I worked for a small organization called Interdependence Inc. whose goal was to help people live independently while creating a close-knit community where they could thrive. That experience helped me see how a truly client and community centered approach can have a lasting impact on people’s lives. It also led me to quickly embrace the Fairweather Model and let me fall in love with Tasks from day one.