Amy Johnson: 1976-2024

It is with great sadness that we have learned Amy Johnson, co-founder and CEO of Skyline Scaffold, passed away on August 22 following a 10-month battle against an aggressive cancer. She was 48 years old. 

Amy Johnson, middle, with brother David Johnson, right, at the 2023 SAIA Annual Convention & Exposition. Skyline Scaffold took home two Project of the Year Awards that evening - one for Shoring and the other for Innovation. (Photo: SAIA)

Amy began her career - and cultivated her family’s legacy within the scaffold and access industries - after graduating with a double major in sociology and psychology from Tulane University. She then returned to her roots in Sacramento, where she embraced her family’s legacy in the scaffold and access industry by joining the family business, Big City Access. From 2003-2016, Amy worked as the Controller for Big City Access before co-founding Skyline Scaffold with Linda and Michael McCurdy. From there she took the additional role of CFO for the Sacramento-based company before purchasing Skyline Scaffold with her brother, David Johnson, in 2020, and being named CEO. 

For her work and dedication to the industry, Amy was recognized by the Sacramento Business Journal as a leading woman in construction, with her business being named the 22nd fastest growing company in Sacramento.

Balancing her role as CEO with a commitment to service, Amy took on an additional responsibility: President of the Scaffold & Access Industry Association’s (SAIA) Education Foundation. She later stepped into Association’s Treasurer role so she could serve on the SAIA Executive Committee.

“Amy had many achievements throughout her years as a SAIA member, including being awarded the SAIA Outstanding Service Award in 2020 and recently winning the SAIA Coupling Pin Award for showing exceptional dedication to the SAIA, which was to be presented to her at the upcoming meeting in Denver,” the SAIA said. “Her unwavering commitment to safety, excellence, and community development in our industry reflects the core values of SAIA.”

“What can be said about Amy Johnson that truly captures the big person she was?,” said Harold Gidish, the SAIA’s Education Foundation (SAIAEF) Vice President and a fomer SAIA President.) “It’s not easy to find the words that can capture this genuinely honest and engaging person. She touched all of us that knew her at a deep level, that was quickly evident by her ever-present positive energy and her big smile. She honored others by only acknowledging their positive sides.

Amy Johnson at the 2021 SAIA Annual Convention & Exposition. (Photo: SAIA)

“Working with Amy on the Education Foundation was both an inspiration and a pleasure. Her insight and leadership was evident by all she was able to accomplish during her time as a board member and her presidency. I know she will be truly missed by all who knew her. May she rest in peace.”

“The profound loss of Amy resonates deeply within our organization, a testament to the remarkable impact she had on our lives and the scaffold and access community,” the SAIA said. “As we come to terms with her passing, we are reminded of her unwavering commitment to safety and excellence, values that are central to SAIA’s mission.”

Current SAIA President Tracy Dutting-Kane added, “Amy was a valuable member of the SAIA and an integral part of the Executive Committee and SAIA Education Foundation, and will be dearly missed.”

Amy is survived by step-father Michael McCurdy; siblings Jenifer Beach, David Johnson (Becky Herz), M. Scott Johnson (Camella), Keri Anderson (Jay), Tyler McCurdy (Amy), Mindyn Gunderson (Clint) and Kelsey Proctor; nieces/nephews Sage, Ash, Joshua, Andrew, Amber, Robert, Samantha, Seth, Cole, Kodey, Jeremiah, Andrew, Kaely, CJ, Kamryn, Hunter, Braedyn, Bryson, and Brennan; life-long friends Phelan Evans and Kathryn O’Connell, and many other close friends whom she cherished. She was preceded in death by her father Wayne Johnson and mother Linda McCurdy.

A celebration of life will be held for Amy at 11 a.m. on October 12, at the Annunciation Hellenic Center, 600 Alhambra Blvd, Sacramento, CA.