West Kelowna CAO Jason Johnson has been named Victoria’s new city manager.
Johnson will leave the Okanagan community of 30,890 to take over the reins in Victoria in mid-February.
“He’s new. He’s innovative. He’s known for his adaptability, and he’s known for being a very strong team leader,” said Mayor Dean Fortin. “So we’re looking for him to bring all those qualities to the City of Victoria.”
Johnson was West Kelowna’s first chief administrative officer, joining the district in 2008 just after it incorporated.
West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater said Johnson will be missed.
“Council has enjoyed an excellent relationship with our CAO during the past six years. He has helped us achieve more than we thought possible, and his advice and counsel will be greatly missed,” he said.
Before West Kelowna, Johnson held the same position for four years with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.
Johnson spent his high school years in Victoria and has family on Vancouver Island.
He replaces former city manager Gail Stephens, who resigned in June to become the chief operating officer of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. Stephens had been Victoria’s top executive since June 2009.
