Chris Johns was named editor in chief of National Geographic in January 2005. He is the ninth editor of the magazine since its founding in 1888. Among his recent initiatives are an extensive redesign of the magazine to attract a new generation of readers and, in fall 2005, two special single-topic issues Africa and a newsstand special on Hurricane Katrina. In 2006 National Geographic was nominated for five American Society of Magazine Editors awards, its highest number of nominations. The magazine won the award for online excellence.



Born in Medford, Ore., Johns began his career in photojournalism after graduating from Oregon State University with a degree in technical journalism and a minor in agriculture. He worked as a teaching assistant while studying for a master's in photography at the University of Minnesota. He joined the Topeka Capital-Journal as a staff photographer in 1975 and in 1979 he was named National Newspaper Photographer of the Year. In 1983, after three years on the Seattle Times as picture editor and special projects photographer, he embarked on a freelance career and worked for Life, Time and National Geographic magazines.



Johns became a National Geographic contract photographer in 1985 and joined the magazine staff in 1995. Before taking over as editor in chief, Johns served as senior editor for illustrations and associate editor. As a photographer, he produced more than 20 articles for National Geographic, eight of which were cover stories. His defining images are of Africa and its wildlife. He has taken readers down the Zambezi River, examined the Bushmen's ongoing struggle for cultural survival and provided important documentation of Africa's endangered wildlife. He was named one of the world's 25 most important photographers by American Photo magazine in 2003.



Johns' books include "Valley of Life: Africa's Great Rift," "Hawaii's Hidden Treasures" and "Wild at Heart: Man and Beast in Southern Africa." He wrote the foreword for "In Focus: National Geographic Greatest Portraits."



Johns lives on a farm in Virginia's Blue Ridge mountains with his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children.