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WithersRavenel welcomes John Johnston as a Business Development Representative serving the firm’s Economic and Land Development practice and development markets.
In this role, John will help grow WithersRavenel’s presence in the Triangle, across North Carolina, and throughout the Southeast. His work will support strategic client relationships, business development efforts, and opportunities that connect communities, developers, municipalities, and economic development leaders with WithersRavenel’s multidisciplinary services.
John brings a unique blend of economic development, advocacy, capital planning, facilities program management, and national business development experience. His background includes supporting capital, development, and facilities teams across the country on mixed-use, renovation, historic renovation, and market repositioning projects. He has also managed multimillion-dollar capital asset portfolios, led teams across multiple states, and worked closely with executive leadership and client stakeholders.
Most recently, John served as National Sales Manager for ServiceMaster DSI, where he was responsible for commercial business development, market awareness, and client needs across the continental U.S. In that role, he developed coordinated sales strategies, supported national and local business development efforts, and delivered partnership value presentations to audiences ranging from C-suite executives to onsite management teams. His accomplishments included earning recognition through the 2025 ServiceMaster Brands Sales Society for generating more than $1 million in sales activity.
Prior to his work in national business development and facilities operations, John held key roles with the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Wake County Economic Development. At Wake County Economic Development, he assisted with 28 business recruitment projects representing approximately $1 billion in economic impact and nearly 2,000 jobs. At the Greater Raleigh Chamber, he coordinated campaign efforts supporting four voter-approved bond referenda totaling more than $1.5 billion in municipal revenue, while also managing revenue-positive programs focused on economic development, public policy, and quality-of-life issues.
Those experiences helped shape John’s understanding of how communities grow and how strategic partnerships can support long-term economic success.
“I began my career at the University of North Carolina system office as a Presidential intern exploring the value of education and its contribution to a healthy, employed, and community-driven society,” John said. “Then, at the Raleigh Chamber and Wake County Economic Development, I led and supported advocacy efforts related to quality-of-life issues across the Triangle. These experiences allowed me to tell the story of Wake County and the greater Triangle while working to retain existing and recruit new industries.”
John’s connection to WithersRavenel also includes a familiar professional relationship. He previously worked with Ashley Cagle, WithersRavenel’s Executive Director, Economic and Land Development, during his time at Wake County Economic Development. Together, their shared background in economic development and regional growth strategy will help strengthen WithersRavenel’s ability to support clients in high-growth markets.
“John brings a rare combination of economic development experience, business development insight, and a deep understanding of the Triangle market,” said Ashley. “Having worked with him previously, I know the value he brings to relationship-building, strategic thinking, and community-focused growth. His perspective will be an important asset as we continue expanding WithersRavenel’s Economic and Land Development presence across North Carolina and the Southeast.”
As he considered the next step in his career, John said he was looking for an organization where he could make a long-term impact.
“As I was exploring new opportunities, I had two goals in mind,” John said. “The first was to identify a firm that aligned with who I was as an individual and represented the diverse perspective and thought leadership that I knew contributed to organizational success. The second was to find an organization that would allow me to plant roots and be challenged day to day. The reputation of WithersRavenel preceded any research I had to do to find that alignment.”
John earned his Master of Business Administration in Strategy and Operations from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School. He also holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Sociology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
His leadership and service experience further reflect his commitment to community-focused growth. John has served on the Dix Park Master Plan Advisory Committee, where he has advised the Raleigh City Council on the development of the 308-acre property. He has also served on the boards of Advocates for Health in Action and the City of Raleigh Museum, and was appointed to the Wake County Public School System Strategic Plan team.
For John, joining WithersRavenel represents an opportunity to bring together his local advocacy experience, national business development perspective, and passion for helping communities grow with purpose.
“After earning my MBA and spending several years in multifamily development and business development, I found my way home,” John said. “I look forward to blending this unique local advocacy and national perspective to further the goals of WithersRavenel.”
Please join us in welcoming John to WithersRavenel.