Bill Johnston attended San Diego State University, where he earned BAs in Physical Education (Kinesiology) and Mathematics, as well as a secondary teaching credential. After graduation, he taught junior high school and coached high school football in San Diego until the passage of Proposition 13 terminated both contracts.
Bill then moved into the banking industry, and served as Senior Corporate Training Officer for the largest privately-owned bank in California. In 1981, he attained the Certified Property Manager (CPM®) and Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM®) designations, and worked in the the field of property management for 40 years, including as CEO of his own company. Bill joined the Board in 2022.