Who We Are 

As a sales development expert, Jeff Johnson draws from his leadership experience in the Navy and the business world.  Jeff has been a top-producing sales performer in legal publishing, a productive sales executive in publishing and information technology, as well as the founder and president of a successful sales training company. 

From early on, Jeff Johnson has cultivated the skills of a capable executive.  Launching off planes atop the deck of a United States Navy carrier, a young Mr. Johnson learned to make sound decisions under hazardous conditions as a topside supervisor on the U.S.S. Ranger—all while still a teenager.

After leaving the Navy, Jeff entered the world of sales by blazing trails and setting records.  As the youngest salesperson ever hired at age 23 at Matthew Bender, a legal and tax publishing house, Jeff had to learn the language of law in order to survive in a lawyer’s world.  Rather than surviving, Mr. Johnson thrived among a sales organization of 250—most of whom held law degrees.  In his 10 years, Jeff ranked top five percent in sales every year, ranked first in his region eight out of 10 years,  and qualified for President’s Club eight out of 10 years.

As a result of his success at Matthew Bender, the publisher’s key competitor hired Jeff.  At Thomson Publishing Jeff held a sales executive position for three subsidiaries, including Clark Boardman Callaghan, Bancroft-Whitney, and West Publishing.  Jeff made a case study of market capture by growing revenue from 30M to 300M and a sales force from five to 125 in just five years.

As Director of Sales for North America at InSystems, Jeff continued to produce in a complex information technology environment.  Jeff’s efforts led to the growth of InSystems from 30M to its 89M sale to Standard Register in 2001.

Jeff started SalesQuest in 2004, a licensed Sandler Sales Institute, to specialize in his true strength: leading sales organizations to success.  Combining the innovative methodology of Sandler with his extensive experience, Jeff has developed numerous long-term client companies by showing them the path to revenue growth.

Jeff lives with his wife of 26 years, Melissa, and dog Duke.  He has three kids, Tricia, Mitch, and Wade and enjoys beer, football, and barbecue especially when they’re home.  Jeff practices yoga, cycles and lives by the creed, “you don’t get what you want, you get what you are.”