ARLINGTON, Va. - The Arlington Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Sonia Johnston, long-time Chamber and community supporter, will be inducted into the Arlington Business Hall of Fame at the
36th Annual Arlington Best Business Awards. The Arlington Business Hall of Fame honors individuals with a connection to Arlington County who have demonstrated a long record of successful management expertise and business skills, along with notable achievements, and exceptional civic and community involvement.
“Sonia Johnston is truly an Arlington business icon. She is known for her persuasiveness, but also for her heart. Sonia pays it forward, working to provide opportunities for all, especially for small businesses and nonprofit organizations," said Kate Bates, Arlington Chamber President & CEO. "Sonia provides her clients, and everyone she meets, with the kind of welcome we hope anyone arriving in Arlington would receive. She cares for everyone, but her background makes her an especially strong champion for first generation Americans, and the Chamber is proud to be recognizing her professional achievements and decades of support of the Arlington community.”
Sonia was born in the Mekong Delta of Can Tho, South Vietnam. She originally immigrated to California in 1975 and soon moved to Northern Virginia in 1976. She has had a successful banking career for over 40 years, participating as a key leader in three community banks in Arlington County. During her decades-long career, she helped build and develop long-term community relationships at banks throughout the Northern Virginia market, including John Marshall Bank, where she was one of the original founding members of the bank when it launched in Arlington.
Sonia has been an active member of the Arlington community throughout her career. She is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Arlington Kiwanis Club and the Arlington Community Foundation. She is also a former Board Member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Center for Excellence, PathForward, Warren G. Stambaugh Foundation, Arlington Professional Business Women, and Asian-American Business Council.
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