Junk to Gold: From Salvage to the World’s Largest Online Auto Auction

Born in Clinton, OK and raised on a farm in Arkansas, Willis Johnson grew up learning about business from his father, an entrepreneur who dabbled in everything from dairy farming to running restaurants to building houses. Willis would go on to breathe the same air of determination and perseverance. Willis’ first company Mather changed the way the auto parts industry operated and he would go on to do the same with Copart which started as one auto auction in Vallejo, California. More than 30 years later, Willis is Chairman of the Board of a multi-billion dollar business and Copart is the global leader in online auto auctions with over 160 locations worldwide.