The roots of the company go back to Wade's great grandfather - John A. Gade, who apprenticed for the renowned architecture firm of McKim Mead and White in New York City, and then formed his own firm in Rochester NY, where he designed the Rochester High Art Gallery and other major civic buildings.

Wade's love of art and architecture fostered through his family, lead to an education in the field and fifteen years of practicing his trade in New York City. Driven by a passion to express his own design "voice" and build his own future, Wade began exploring the idea of founding his own firm.

In 1999 he moved from New York City to follow his own vision, and founded R.Wade Johnson Design in the sleepy town of St. James NY. His firm quickly grew to a staff of 10 - completing projects from diverse locations such as Canada, San Francisco, Florida and throughout the Northeast.

RWJD quickly outgrew its quarters. Wade took advantage of the proximity to New York City and Nassau County, by choosing to locate the new RWJD headquarters in Melville, NY - the business capital of Long Island - renovating a freestanding office into the dynamic design studios he oversees today.