Chris Johns was named Editor in Chief of National Geographic magazine in January 2005. He is the ninth editor of the magazine since its founding in 1888. Johns’ editorial efforts have been recognized with 13 National Magazine Awards from the American Society of Magazine Editors in the past five years, most recently for Magazine of the Year and Single-Topic Issue in 2011. Johns became a National Geographic contract photographer in 1985 and joined the magazine staff in 1995. As a photographer, he produced more than 20 articles for National Geographic, eight of which were cover stories. Johns was named one of the world’s 25 most important photographers by American Photo magazine in 2003.