Mpls/St. Paul Business Journal: CFO of the Year: Ryan Johnson | Doran Cos.

Ryan Johnson studied to become a band director, but an entry-level job as an accounting clerk grew from a way to make extra cash into a full-fledged career in finance. Today, Johnson is the chief financial officer at general contractor Doran Cos.

He has put down his baton, but he still conducts a busy cast of players. Johnson leads deal analysis to make sure each project Doran takes on is financially sound, secures deal financing, and manages the finances of each project once it starts. He also oversees the company’s internal finances.

In 2014, Johnson championed a reorganization of Doran’s corporate structure in advance of anticipated company growth. After significant structural changes and a clarified vision, Doran doubled in size and experienced the most profitable years in company history.

Johnson also volunteers as a youth basketball coach and is the church council president at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Eden Prairie.