The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has announced Eric Johnson as the sole finalist for the position of county manager.

Mr. Johnson would bring to the position 30 years of experience in county government, including 24 years in senior management roles. He currently serves as assistant county administrator for Hillsborough County, Florida, a position he has held since 2015. He has also served Hillsborough County in the positions of director of strategic planning and ERP implementation, management services administrator, director of management and budget, and budget manager.

Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Florida and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of South Florida.

The county manager position has been vacant following the retirement in April of Doug Derrer, who had served in the position since 2009. Since that time, Deputy County Manager Tim Merritt has been serving as interim county manager. The Board of Commissioners utilized the consultant services of The Mercer Group, Inc. for the recruitment process. It is anticipated that ratification of Mr. Johnson’s employment contract with Forsyth County will occur at the Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting August 3.

Responsibilities of the county manager position:                                                               
The county manager provides leadership for Forsyth County government by working with the Board of Commissioners and other management to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies; supervises the county’s administrative offices and senior management; oversees county programs and activities; interprets county goals and policies; and ensures county administration and senior management are making decisions consistent with the Board of Commissioners’ planning and policy initiatives.