Johni Cerny

Johni Cerny has extensive work experience in the field of genealogy and family history research. Johni started their career in 1972 as a Captain in the US Army, where they served in various roles, including being the first female officer to command a combat support unit. In 1983, they founded Lineages Inc., a professional genealogy and family history research company, where they held the positions of President and CEO & Founder. From 2005 to 2011, they worked as the Chief Family Historian and Genealogist for Kunhardt Productions and later for Ark-Media. In 2011, they joined Ark Media as the Chief Genealogist for the TV series "Finding Your Roots." Since 2018, they have been working as the Chief Genealogist for McGee Media.

Johni Cerny attended Brigham Young University from 1966 to 1969, where they obtained a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Genealogy & Social Work. Prior to that, from 1961 to 1962, they attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, focusing on Journalism, though there is no information available regarding the degree obtained.