After leaving the military, Mark Johnson returned to the Twin Cities to look for work. He saw a job posting in the newspaper that said operators could earn $3.46 an hour, plus overtime. Looking for a way to put himself through school, Johnson responded and began as an operator at Nicollet Garage on May 4, 1970. Though he graduated with an accounting degree, he spent the next 40 years working at Metro Transit. After 16 years as an operator Johnson became an instructor. In 1993, he began a one-year stint as the Assistant Transportation Manager for the old Snelling Garage. He moved to South Garage to become manager a year later. Johnson also worked as a manager at Martin J. Ruter, Heywood and Snelling. Johnson described himself as a “driver’s manager” and said the best part of working at Metro Transit was developing friendships and giving others the opportunity to succeed. Johnson retired in January 2010. In retirement, he is active in church and spends time at his home in Florida.