2025 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Corey Johnson

• Alma Mater: Yale University, University of New Hampshire
• What’s one airport that inspires you? PDX

Corey Johnson has built his career at the intersection of two passions—aviation and sustainability. As leader of C&S Companies’ national Aviation Sustainability team, he guides a group of professionals working with airports across the country to advance decarbonization, renewable energy, and resilience initiatives. With a master’s degree in Environmental Management from Yale University, certifications as a Certified Energy Manager and Envision Sustainability Professional, and experience as a licensed private pilot, Johnson combines technical expertise with firsthand aviation knowledge to help clients navigate the path to net zero.

Johnson has supported some of the nation’s largest airports through sustainability management plans, electrification roadmaps, ESG reporting, and Airport Carbon Accreditation programs. He recently spearheaded the development of airportnetzero.com, a resource featuring a user-friendly Airport Decarbonization Calculator to help facilities chart their progress toward carbon reduction goals. His work reflects a belief that complex data should be accessible and actionable, providing airport leaders with practical tools to make informed decisions.

For Johnson, the draw of aviation lies in both its complexity and its promise. “I get to talk about airplanes and solar panels in the same sentence,” he says. “For me, that’s an incredible combination of my two passions in life.”

Equally committed to people as to projects, Johnson mentors teammates, educates colleagues, and works closely with students through his alma mater and local universities. His leadership reflects both compassion and vision, setting a course toward a more sustainable, lower-carbon future for aviation.