The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners named Eric Johnson as county manager at their meeting August 3. Johnson, named on July 18 as the sole finalist for the position, is slated to begin his new role with Forsyth County government September 5.

Mr. Johnson will bring to the position 30 years of experience in county government, including 24 years in senior management roles, serving most recently as assistant county administrator for Hillsborough County, Florida, a position he had 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.

“I am excited to be joining the Forsyth County government as well as the community,” said Johnson. “We face challenges and opportunities as we chart a course for the future of both. With the leadership of the Board of Commissioners, and the expertise within our organization, we will manage the challenges and seize the opportunities.”

The county manager position had been vacant following the retirement of Doug Derrer, who had served in the position since 2009, in April. Since that time, Deputy County Manager Tim Merritt served as interim county manager. The Board of Commissioners utilized the consultant services of The Mercer Group, Inc. for the recruitment process.

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.