Johnston follows in the footsteps of Don Green, Michael McCarthy and Gerard de Courcy, who all hailed from Otago.
Johnston, the managing director of Miller Studios, has been involved in squash since 1977 when he took up the game in Timaru.
While his own squash career is in the past thanks to two bad knees, Johnston is excited about the position which is the climax of 35 years in the sport's administration.
''I've always wanted to give something back to the game that has given me so much,'' Johnston said.
''To put it simply, I just love being around squash people and everything associated with the game.
''I'm known as someone who has strong views on where the sport should be heading and, with help from a very talented board, I hope we can get a long way down that track.''
Johnston has been on the board for four years, which he says has given him an understanding of the organisation. His areas of interest during his time on the board have been audit and risk and setting up Squash New Zealand as an independent insurance agency over the past two years.
This would allow clubs around New Zealand to pay the same insurance premiums for their courts and buildings as in the past, but profit from the premiums would be put back into squash by Squash New Zealand at a regional level.
''It comes directly back to the districts and the clubs. It's organised nationally but the funds are returned locally,'' he saidJohnston may not play any more but still follows the efforts of son Oliver (28), who plays at the top level in Christchurch, where he works as an accountant.
Following the results of any squash player throughout New Zealand, be it Johnston's son or any other player, has become easier with the code's extensive online grading system, along with other information technology tools for clubs and districts.
''We see ourselves as the leading sport when it comes to technology, and that's our strategic advantage at the moment.''
''My personal priorities will be to maintain our place in New Zealand sport as a leader in the use of technology. Secondly, we need to work harder to ensure our clubs grow stronger rather than being content with the status quo.''
