Top City Official Bruce Johnson Steps Down
Johnson has worked in top management positions for the city since October 2003.
Bruce Johnson, a top city official since 2003, officially stepped down this week.
He was most recently chief of staff. Prior to that, he was acting city manager and also the city’s chief financial officer.
Johnson, who lives in the Beverley Hills neighborhood, has worked for the city since October 2003. Initially, he served as the director of the Office of Management and Budget, and was promoted to the position of CFO in February 2009.
He told Patch late last year when he took on the acting city manager position that he would likely scout around for a new job, possibly as an adjunct professor in public policy administration.
He and his wife, who he met while they were attending Duke University, raised three children in the city, all of whom graduated from T.C. Williams High School.
Johnson received a law degree and master’s degree in public policy from Duke University and is a hardcore Blue Devils fan. He earned his undergraduate degree in government from Harvard University
Previously, he spent 27 years working for the federal government, serving as budget director for the U.S. Courts, and in staff positions in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. General Accounting Office, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Bureau of the Census.
Dennis Auld
8:48 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Having served on BFAAC while Bruce was Director of OMB, I can say that he served the City well. His command of the facts and his ability to navigate complex situations were key factors in the City's well run finances and its continued ability to obtain a triple A bond rating, even during the toughest of times for city's all across the country. Alexandria is lucky to have a tremendous staff, exemplifird by people like Bruce.
matt tallmerq
9:40 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
I had the pleasure of working with Bruce for 15 years while I was on BFFAC: first when he reprsented the School Board on BFFAC; later when was named acting and the permanent Budget Director; and finally as CFO. He always answered our questions honestly - although those answers may not have adhered to the city's party line. He played it straight with us. And he knows more about munciipal finance and bonding than everyone I have ever met (save one person). The people, the Council, and the staff are diminished by his departure.
Mark Williams
9:49 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Bruce has been extraordinary, and he will be missed. The City will continue to be exceptionally well-served by Laura Triggs. The City is lucky to have the professional staff it does, particularly in light of white-collar salaries that are 15-20% lower than Federal pay for comparable positions, and what have become less attractive and more costly retirement benefits.