About Johnny
Passionate About Enabling Others
Johnny J. Knatt was born and raised in the region of Louisiana commonly known as Cajun Country. Johnny refers to it as the sweetest, saltiest, and pepper-iest place in the world because of the sugar cane farms, salt domes, and Tabasco Hot Sauce produced there. He attributes his ability to engage and develop relationships with others to his early work experiences in his native state.
Johnny attended Southern University, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He worked his way through school while working many jobs including a successful position as a clothing salesman in a men’s clothing store where he discovered his gift for building relationships.
Professional Career
Graduating cum laude with a BA in Business Management in three and a half years, Johnny immediately began his professional career in Chicago with General Mills as a Processing Supervisor overseeing food production including cereals and cake mixes. He quickly learned the importance of listening and using the knowledge of his diverse work team. The Chicago winters proved too grueling and Johnny returned to his Southern roots where he began his career with Procter & Gamble in Alexandria, Louisiana, as a Distribution Manager.
Johnny’s management career with P&G spanned 12 different assignments in:
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manufacturing,
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sales,
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customer service, and
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human resources.
He relocated a number of times to different manufacturing sites and offices as he assumed positions of increasing responsibility. His legacy at P&G was his ability to handle difficult people situations and helping others develop success careers.
In June 2007, Johnny retired from a rewarding career with P&G and launched his own HR firm, One HR Partner.
In 2011 Johnny began his law enforcement experience as a Deputy HR Director with the Georgia Department of Public Safety. His significant contributions to that agency during his four years included restructuring the recruitment process, launching an applicant tracking system, and serving as administrator for the Critical Incident Support Team.
In 2015, his success as a Deputy HR Director led to his appointment as Director of Human Resources with the State’s newest agency, the Department of Community Supervision. This new agency supervises parolees and probationers. Through Johnny’s leadership, DCS has organized, staffed, and sustains an HR team that supports an organization of 2200 employees.
Certifications & Qualifications
Johnny has several human resources and coaching certifications:
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Certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)
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Society of Human Resource (SHRM) Senior Certified Professional
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Registered Coach Training Associates-Certified Coach (CTACC)
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J. Howard certified Managing Inclusion Instructor
Personal Life
Johnny enjoys spending time with his wife and his two best doggie buddies, Bubbie, and Louie. Johnny enjoys hiking, biking, fishing, exercising, meeting new people, and preparing his favorite Cajun and Creole dishes for guests and friends. Crawfish boils, fried turkey, gumbo, and jambalaya, are his specialties, especially when they are served with an LSU Tigers football game.
