Dan Johnson journey to leading Total North began at the early age of 19. He didn’t start as an entrepreneur with an idea, in fact, he describes himself as an aimless teenager who was just playing hockey all the time. That changed one afternoon when his father invited him to lunch with his hockey buddy, Gordon “Gord” Duncan. Dan’s dad stepped away for a call to create a moment where Gord could ask some pointed questions about Dan’s future. That conversation planted a seed that would shape the rest of his career.
Dan soon enrolled in electrical engineering and began working at Total North as a junior technician during school breaks. He returned every year, growing alongside the company as it expanded across the Yukon. The work took him to remote corners of the territory, setting up communication systems in challenging environments and delivering critical infrastructure where it mattered most. Along the way came unforgettable experiences, including trips to Silicon Valley to meet manufacturers serving the U.S. military and conversations with major venture capital firms. Gord, known for his inventive spirit, was always pushing boundaries, he developed the first Bluetooth padlock.
Over time, Dan built equity in the company. After Gord’s passing, he found himself stepping in to fill those shoes as an owner. It was a period of uncertainty and self-doubt. But a proud moment came shortly after when Total North was named Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year. “That recognition meant a lot. It came at a really difficult timeand reminded me that the community believed in us.”
That same drive has led to Total North’s latest innovation: Compod, a spin-out company focused on modular, customizable communication shelters designed for remote and harsh environments. “When we worked on outfitting remote shelters with their systems, we were often tasked with also purchasing them. We always struggled to buy shelters that met our needs,” Dan explains. “So we asked – why don’t we build our own?” Compod shelters are now used in field communications and are being explored for applications like vertical farming. With growing demand, the team is currently building out a factory to support increased production.
Spinning Compod out as a separate company was a strategic choice. “Logistically, it was already its own operation,” Dan says. “Creating a separate brand made the value proposition clearer, highlighted our specialization, and actually helped us win a major tender.” Innovation continues to drive the work we’re still exploring ways that we can reuse the heat generated, and adapt the shelters to work well both in summer and winter months.
Beyond his companies, Dan has been deeply involved with Tech Yukon, where he now serves as Board President. His motivation is rooted in advocacy. “Yukon tech companies are underdogs, nationally and even here at home,” he says. “We’re often underestimated, but we can often do what outside companies do too, and sometimes even better. I want to help change that narrative.” Dan is passionate about giving back, supporting fellow members, forming partnerships within the ecosystem, and especially engaging youth to expose them to the breadth of opportunities available in tech.
“Sometimes you have to take off your company hat and put on your Yukon hat,” Dan reflects. “It’s about advocating for the greater good of the entire sector.” For Dan Johnson, leadership isn’t just about building businesses, it’s about building a stronger, more recognized tech community in the North.
