Ryan O’Connor Departs as Ramsey County Manager for Metropolitan Council Role, Johanna Berg Steps in Interim

Ramsey County is on the hunt for a new county manager as Ryan O'Connor leaves the helm after five years to tackle challenges at the Metropolitan Council. O'Connor, credited with guiding the county through the turbulent waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, wrapped up his last day at the board meeting with a heartfelt thanks from the board of commissioners for his "innovative and steadfast service," as reported by Ramsey County's official announcement.

O'Connor's tenure at Ramsey County saw him quickly rise through the ranks, beginning in 2013 as the Director of Policy & Planning, before earning the title of Deputy County Manager of Health & Wellness in 2016. He took on the county's top administrative job in 2018 and had to almost immediately steer the county through the public health crisis that gripped the world. His next role as Regional Administrator for the Metropolitan Council is poised to be a pivotal one as he looks to forge new paths in regional collaboration and planning.

The county's baton now passes temporarily to Deputy County Manager Johanna Berg, as she steps up from her current role overseeing Economic Growth and Community Investment. Berg, who took the reins in January 2018, has a history with the county that includes a stint as the County's Chief Information Officer and a role in managing Information and Public Records. The board emphasized the need for a leader who was "committed to the mission, vision, values and goals" and prepared to uphold the county's strategic priorities without the ambition to clinch the permanent post.

While Berg handles the day-to-day, the search is on for a permanent successor to carry forward O'Connor's legacy. The county board is determined to find someone with the right mix of experience and vision to lead Ramsey County into its next chapter. As O'Connor moves on, he leaves behind a record of critical leadership during unprecedented times and sets an ambitious benchmark for whoever is to next sit in the county manager's chair.