Local auto dealership owner Jim Johnson will join Western Kentucky University’s Board of Regents.

Johnson replaces Earl Fischer, who left the board June 30 and has retired from his vice president post at Atmos Energy.

While not replacing auto dealership owner Cornelius Martin, who was killed last year in a traffic accident, Johnson said Martin certainly will be a good regent to emulate.

&#8220I hope I can serve as well as he did … but I don’t see myself trying to fill his shoes,” Johnson said.

Johnson already has ties to the university, including three siblings who graduated from there; two adult daughter graduates and three granddaughters who have either attended or will graduate.

He also has served on several university advisory committees, including one recently formed that will look at improving or finding new facilities for campus safety operations.

Johnson said that committee was in its infancy when his name popped up for consideration for the regent’s position.

The committee has yet to meet but Johnson said he is familiar with the university’s needs, having been a friend for years of campus police Chief Robert Deane.

&#8220After the Virginia Tech shootings, we know how important it is to have the ability to quickly respond,” Johnson said.

&#8220With a law enforcement background, even though it was ancient history (he was a Detroit police officer and federal agent), I think that is something that I can bring to the table,” he said.

Western already has an aesthetically pleasing environment and it is important to make sure it is as safe and secure, Johnson said.

After Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s appointment Wednesday, Johnson said WKU President Gary Ransdell called to congratulate him.

&#8220He said there would be an orientation,” Johnson said.

Johnson, whose term expires in 2013, said Western already has accomplished a great deal since Ransdell’s arrival and even before, and he hopes he can help continue that progress.

The owner of Jim Johnson Pontiac-Nissan-Hyundai in Bowling Green, he is a member of the board of trustees for the Bowling Green Salvation Army and the Commonwealth Health Corporation Foundation and Free Clinic and chairman of the Bowling Green Public Library Board. He is a member of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and was named Small Business Person of the Year in 2002.

Johnson has served as president of the Kentucky Automobile Dealers Association, campaign chairman for the local United Way and honorary chairman for the local March of Dimes. In 2006, he received the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the Lion’s Club Good Citizen Award and the WKU Volunteer Award. He attended Wayne State University in Detroit and is married to Darlene Johnson.