The City of Stockton has appointed Johnny Ford as its new city manager, ending a nearly 10-month search. On Tuesday, the Stockton City Council voted unanimously 7-0 to secure Ford for the role. He will take the reins effective Nov. 19, stepping into the position that has been vacant since the resignation of former city manager Harry Black in January of this year. This appointment comes after interim city manager Steve Colangelo, who took over following Black's departure, became embroiled in controversy and criminal investigations related to allegations of misusing taxpayer funds.
Ford, who is no stranger to Stockton, has spent considerable time in the area previously, acting as Deputy City Manager and Director of Parks and Recreation. Prior to rejoining Stockton's leadership, Ford had been immersed in nearly three decades of public service roles, which included time spent as the city manager of Compton, a position he held after serving in similar capacities in other cities like Cincinnati and Durham, North Carolina, according to ABC10 and a report by FOX40.
Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi expressed confidence in Ford's appointment, highlighting his deep connections to the city. "After a thorough search, we found that the right person for Stockton was one of our own," she said in a press release. "Johnny has lived here for many years, raised his family here, worships here, and has dedicated much of his life to serving this community. His heart is in Stockton, and I believe he is the person who can help bring this Council together so we can move our city forward," Fugazi's statement was obtained by FOX40.
The appointment of Ford is seen as a stabilizing move for the city's administration, which has been subject to turmoil since Black's unexpected resignation. The unified vote for Ford's appointment stands in stark contrast to the earlier divided council, which saw a controversial 4-3 split when appointing Colangelo as interim manager. Ford's deep roots and extensive experience in public service are expected to not only bring unity to the council but also guide Stockton through the challenges that lie ahead.
