Grand Prairie television producer Don Johnson retires after 30 years

Don Johnson, executive producer for GPTV’s "It’s Happening in Grand Prairie," said he is retiring after 30 years with the city’s television operations. Johnson discussed his decision and career on an episode of the program, saying he loved the job but felt it was a good time to move on.

Johnson told host Georgia Clemson he began his media career in radio and television in the Midwest and joined Grand Prairie’s media operation in 1995 after working in Dallas broadcasting. He described building Grand Prairie Television from limited tape-based equipment to a modern HD operation and said a primary goal was to professionalize the city channel so viewers could not tell it from commercial TV. Johnson said he produced roughly 2,000 videos and thousands of hours of footage for the city, and helped transfer archival VHS content — including programs hosted by Clemson’s mother — onto YouTube so residents can search for past guests.

Johnson credited former colleagues and city leaders for supporting investments in studio space and equipment. He named Amy Sprinkle and former city manager Tom Hart among those who supported upgrades, and said hiring colleague Terry Briggs in 2008 helped expand capacity as the city and technology needs grew. Johnson said the city’s growth — from roughly 78,000 residents when he started to more than double by 2008 — made the work busier and more rewarding.

On the program Johnson described personal plans for retirement as mostly open-ended: spending time with his wife, household and yard projects, travel and family visits to brothers who now live in Frisco and Missouri. He noted he and his wife are longtime runners and have run triathlons, though he said he has mostly stopped running.

Clemson closed the segment by thanking Johnson for his service to Grand Prairie and wishing him well. Johnson said it had been an "absolute pleasure" working for the city and a joy to record the city's evolution.