Stephen K. Johnson
Systems Engineer
Trident Services, Inc.
Chehalis, Washington, USA
This piece is part of the 2026 Planet Mainframe Influential Mainframers series.
For over 20 years, Stephen Johnston’s professional world was defined by the fast-moving landscape of front-end engineering, digital design, and multimedia. He was a veteran of React, web components, and the creative tools of modern digital design.
But in 2025, Stephen executed a dramatic career pivot, proving to himself, his family, and hundreds of students that the mainframe is the next frontier for creative developers. No computer science degree required.
From Web Dev to Subject Matter Expert
In less than a year, the Trident Services Inc. Systems Engineer completed a professional metamorphosis. Moving from web development to becoming a Subject Matter Expert for the Eli Madison Memorial Apprenticeship (EMMA), Stephen traded HTML/CSS for REXX and ISPF. It was more than a change in language, though; it was also a shift in purpose. He now uses his expertise to bridge a critical skills gap that is often overshadowed by the industry’s focus on COBOL.
In the process, Stephen is proving that a career pivot into the mainframe can lead to a second act as resilient as the technology itself. He is living the career journey that EMMA is designed to create.
The Creative Power of Technical Training
Stephen’s “hybrid” background in storytelling and code allows him to translate complex systems concepts into engaging digital content. He teaches REXX by evangelizing it through high-quality, byte-sized training.
“I never could have imagined how fun teaching and mentoring could be, or how rewarding a career in this space would be.”
Through his website, stephen.codes, and his YouTube channel, @newtozed, he has reached over 140 developers in just a few months. This rapid impact recently earned him an IBM Influencer Level 3 badge and a nomination for the IBM Rising Champion award.
“I never could have imagined how fun teaching and mentoring could be, or how rewarding a career in this space would be,” Stephen said. “It’s a mission I wish I had started years earlier.”
Mainframes through a Modern Lens
But you don’t have to take Stephen’s word on his expertise. His rapid ascent earned him a speaking engagement at the upcoming REXX LA symposium in May 2026. It’s a testament to the idea that the mainframe is ripe for those who thrive at the intersection of code and creativity.
When he isn’t documenting systems, optimizing performance, writing curriculum, or sharing weekly coding tips, he’s showing the “new to Z” generation that exciting work isn’t always in a browser. Sometimes it’s in the foundational systems that power the world.
You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn.
Follow @PlanetMainframe on LinkedIn and #PMFInfluentialMainframers to congratulate this year’s honorees.
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