Originally recorded on Tapes 1 and 2; tape 2 is missing. In the first interview session, conducted at the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) offices in Portland on March 1, 2002, Johnson discusses his family background and early life in Boise, Idaho, including his education and his recreational activities. He briefly talks about his experiences at Dartmouth College, about his marriage to Carolyn Ann Carley, and about his service in the U.S. Air Force. He speaks about his career in construction, first with the MacGregor Triangle Company from 1957 to 1968, and with the Trus Joist Company from 1968 to 1979. He describes some of the construction jobs he worked on, including for the Bonneville Power Administration and for the University of Idaho. He shares his reasons for seeking a job in government. He also discusses his involvement in the Republican Party and serving on the transition team for President Ronald Reagan.