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Before moving to Rhinelander, WI in 1972 and starting Dick Johnson, Inc., Richard (Dick) Johnson worked for Zien Plumbing in Milwaukee, WI as a union plumber for 18 years. Originally from Rib Lake, WI he always wanted to return to the northern part of Wisconsin and start his own company. Dick Johnson, Inc. started out mainly installing just septic systems, excavating and sewer and water work. Diane (Dick's wife) ran the office and at one time, Dick Johnson, Inc. employed eight people.

His son, Russell, started out working the summers during high school and joined the business fulltime after graduating in 1975. Russ attended Nicolet College for soils and attended soil classes at the UW-Madison. Besides being a certified Soil Tester (CST) and Master Plumber (MPRS), Russ also has his Designer of Engineering Systems license, Cross Connection Control Tester license (backflow) and WI DNR Pump Installer license.

Russ took over as president of the company in 1982, and the company started to get out the excavating business and to downsize the company and focus mainly on soils and septic system design and installation, sewer and water, backflow testing, septic & well inspections and consulting.

Dick Johnson, Inc. is a three generation company. Russ's sons Scott and Curt also work for the company.

Scott worked in the summers during high school and college, earning his journeyman's plumber (JPRS) license. Scott decided to change his direction and graduated from UW-Stevens Point in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and a minor in Data Communications. Scott is now the Manager of Data Center Engineering Services for Cancer Treatment Centers of America, but he still keeps his journeyman plumbers (JPRS) license current and most importantly he takes care of all our computer needs. He also helped create our website!

Curt also worked in summers during high school. Graduating in 1996, he attended UW-Marathon for a year with his intention of getting an accounting or programming degree and started as a freshman on the Div. II men's basketball team. Curt changed his direction and joined the business fulltime in 1997. Curt is a certified Soil Tester (CST) and also has a Master Plumbers (MPRS) license, Designer of Engineering Systems license, Cross Connection Control Tester license, and WI DNR Pump Installer license.

Russ's wife, Cheryl, has been with the company since 1979, starting out part time. Cheryl now manages the office fulltime.

In 1999 Dick and Diane retired fulltime. At this time, Russ and Curt have decided to stay small and do all the work themselves. They handle all projects from start to finish, with one or both of them always being on the job site, which always keeps quality and work at its BEST.