Robert E. Johnson, III is the President, CEO, and co-founder of Cimcor, Inc., the cybersecurity software company he co-founded in 1997. Under his leadership, Cimcor develops integrity-focused technology that helps organizations detect unexpected change, remediate it quickly, and protect the information-technology and operational-technology systems on which they depend. Its CimTrak platform supports continuous compliance, cyber resilience, and the dependable operation of complex environments.
An inventor and systems builder, Robert has led the development of commercial software packages and patented and patent-pending technologies. His work spans integrity assurance, cybersecurity, operating-system internals, embedded systems, process automation, operational technology, artificial intelligence, mobile computing, and other emerging technologies. Across those fields, he brings a practical conviction that trustworthy systems must be designed to reveal change, support recovery, and earn confidence every day.
Before Cimcor, Robert spent eight years as Manager of Business Systems for Davy McKee Corporation. He also founded Velocityware, which developed, marketed, and distributed mobile software and technology. Those experiences shaped an entrepreneurial approach grounded in technical depth, durable products, and the discipline of serving real customers.
Robert earned an associate degree in computer programming in 1989, a bachelor’s degree in systems programming in 1991, and a Master of Science in Management in 1996, all from Purdue University. He later taught Operating System Internals at Purdue University Northwest, helping students understand the foundations beneath modern software and extending his commitment to technology education.
He has shared that perspective with technical, business, and academic audiences, including as keynote speaker at the 2008 IEEE International Conference on Digital Information Management in London. Robert has also presented at venues including the CSI annual conference and EnergySec, contributed articles and books about technology, and appeared on World Business Review, Inside Indiana Business, and Bloomberg Radio to discuss business, cybersecurity, and innovation.
Robert’s leadership reaches beyond Cimcor through board, advisory, and public-service roles across healthcare, banking, higher education, philanthropy, economic development, and technology. He serves as chairman of The Methodist Hospitals and chair of the risk committee at Nasdaq-traded Finward Bancorp/Peoples Bank, and he is a past chairman of Legacy Foundation, the region’s largest community foundation. His service has also included Purdue University Northwest, Indiana University Northwest, and public education and technology organizations. In 2023, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce appointed him to the Indiana District Export Council, adding export leadership to a record of service centered on stronger institutions, broader opportunity, and responsible innovation.
His recognition reflects both business achievement and community impact. Robert received Purdue Alumni Association-Calumet’s Alumni Committed to Excellence Award and was named among Northwest Indiana’s 20 Under 40 entrepreneurs in 2005; he became a Fellow of the Society of Innovators in 2011 and was inducted into the Northwest Indiana Business & Industry Hall of Fame in 2017. His contributions to security and innovation, as well as the Hall of Fame recognition, have been entered in the Congressional Record. Cimcor was named Enterprise of the Year in 2020 and one of the Hot 150 Cybersecurity Companies to Watch in 2021; Robert joined the Purdue University Northwest Alumni Hall of Fame and the Indiana 250 in 2023, and was selected for the Indiana 250 for three consecutive years, 2023–2025. In 2024, Cimcor received the President’s E Star Award for its significant contributions to U.S. export growth.
Today, Robert continues to lead Cimcor while writing, speaking, advising, and contributing to organizations that strengthen technology and community life. Whether he is examining the future of cybersecurity, mentoring a new leader, or helping a board navigate change, his approach remains consistent: stay curious, act with purpose, and build systems—and communities—worthy of trust.
