With a professional background in the human services field that spans 50+ years, Johnas served as program administrator, management consultant, therapist, educator, government official, quality leader, researcher, and trainer. The son of a Cuban immigrant he graduated from the nation’s oldest public school, Boston Latin. Following graduation from Wesleyan University (Middletown, Connecticut) with a B.A. degree in Sociology, he earned a Masters degree in Counseling & Consulting Psychology from Harvard University. He has conducted research and published on topics as varied as tobacco use disorder, special education, harm reduction, responsible alcoholic beverage service, consumer self-determination, legislative policy, healthcare cost containment, prevention, legal protections for people in recovery, disability rehabilitation, and advocacy for people with disabilities. Johnis a regular contributor to Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Weekly. He served six years as a member of the Board of Directors of Faces and Voices of Recovery. He has taught at the University of California, Berkeley & San Diego, California State University, East Bay, the University of San Francisco and San Quentin State Prison. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration selected Mr. de Miranda as their “Ask the Expert” in August 2010. In 2025 the California Consortium of Addiction Programs and Professionals presented John with the Legacy Award Pioneer in the Recovery Movement.