The Ozark Board of Aldermen announced the hiring of Eric Johnson as the new city administrator for one of Springfield’s key suburbs.
Johnson was the city administrator in Blue Springs for 16 years, but the Kansas City suburb did not renew his contract in 2021.
“I am very excited to announce Eric Johnson has been hired as the new city administrator. He brings a wealth of experience from Blue Springs, Missouri, that will benefit the City of Ozark,” Ozark Mayor Don Currence said in a press statement announcing Johnson’s hiring.
Johnson’s first day at Ozark City Hall will be July 15.
“I am very excited to serve the great community of Ozark as the next city administrator and look forward to working with the mayor, board of alderman, and community to realize their strategic initiatives for Ozark,” Johnson said.
Johnson will take over the role from Ben DeClue, who has served as Ozark's interim city administrator since January. DeClue stepped in when longtime Ozark City Administrator Steve Childers left to become the Springfield director of planning and development, creating a vacancy for the first time in 19 years.
“I want to thank Ben DeClue for the outstanding job he has done these last six months,” Currence said. “His leadership, wise counsel, and past work experiences made a perfect bridge to our new city administrator.”
Johnson has been married for 29 years to his wife, Sonja. They have four children. The family looks forward to enjoying the outdoors in Ozark. Johnson also enjoys playing the guitar and singing.
Johnson is a graduate of the University of Missouri, where he holds a master’s degree in public administration.
