PEORIA MAGAZINE November 2022

M itch J ohnson | 33 C o - f o u n d e r a n d l a b o r a t o r y d i r e c t o r , Ve l o x i t y L a b s , L L C

Mitch Johnson launched Veloxity, a biotech laboratory in Peoria that recently was named the “Start-up of the Year” by the Turner Center for Entrepreneur ship at Bradley University. He “has the mindset of an entrepreneur, the expertise of a Ph.D. scientist and the communication and leadership skills of a seasoned coach,” said his nominator. “I haven’t met a person with the leadership, integrity, business and science knowledge like Mitch. Truly unique.” On the community service front, Mitch supports Peoria’s annual St. Jude Run. He is a member of the American Society of Mass Spectrometry and the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists.

Bucket list priority : “Attend the Masters golf tournament.” Favorite cause : “St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.” ‘HE HAS THE MINDSET OF AN ENTREPRENEUR, THE EXPERTISE OF A PH.D. SCIENTIST’

— Shane Needham

Leadership definition : “Leading with your actions and being encouraging and supportive when others that look up to you need it most.” Local inspiration : “Deepak Gaddipati (at VirtuSense Technologies).” What Peoria needs : “A scientific research park.”

Mitch Johnson CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2022

LEADING TODAY for a Better Tomorrow

52 NOVEMBER 2022 PEORIA MAGAZINE