Dave Johnson

Co-founder/managing Partner

Horizon Capital

Dave Johnson is co-founder and managing partner of Horizon Capital. His primary focus is the development, sourcing, and procurement of financing and capital relationships with the goal of achieving long-term, positive results for its investment partners.

Dave has an extensive background in the hotel industry, where he spent 17 years at Wyndham Hotels serving as President. Later he became Chairman and CEO of Aimbridge Hospitality in which he co-founded and served from 2003-2021.  Aimbridge is recognized as one of the premier hotel management companies in the world, with over 1,600 hotels under management.

Johnson currently serves on the U.S. Travel Association (USTA) board as a member of the Chairman’s Circle and as a member of USTA’s CEO Roundtable.

He also serves as a Director on the Hilton Grand Vacations (HGV-NYSE) Board as a member of The Audit & Compensation Committees, as well as serves on the Board of Directors for the National Football Foundation, Board of Directors of The Living Company, The Dallas Stars Ownership Advisory Group, and The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Previously, he has served on the Strategic Hotels (NYSE: BEE) Board as a member of the Audit Committee and Corporate Governance Committee from 2012 to 2016, and served as a Director of Gaylord Entertainment (GET-NYSE) from 2009-2012.

Johnson was recognized as a finalist for the Ernst & Young 2014 Entrepreneur of the Year.



Johnson is a graduate of Northeastern Illinois University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics.