Highest-Ranking Public Official’s Replacement Chosen

A replacement for Temecula’s highest-ranking public official was chosen.

Assistant Manager Bob Johnson was chosen to replace Shawn Nelson as city manager when he retires next year, the city announced Wednesday.

Johnson, 66, has more than 35 years of experience in city and county government, the city announced.

He was the director of planning and development for Pima County, AZ, community development director for the City of Irvine, planning director for the County of Riverside and the assistant city manager for the City of Temecula since 2006.

Johnson has a bachelors degree in natural resources from Oregon State University, a masters of science and a PHD from the School of Renewable Natural Resources at the University of Arizona.

Johnson will start his new job on Jan. 1, 2012.

The City Council voted unanimously to appoint Johnson during a meeting that was closed to the public on Tuesday.

Closing a meeting to the public is legal when dealing with certain subjects, such as law suits, personnel matters and real estate negotiations, though the city must disclose the results, according to the Government Code Section 54957.

Johnson looks forward to taking the helm, he said in an emailed announcement. “This is a tremendous honor, and I look forward to working with the City Council and the excellent team that we have in the City of Temecula to preserve our outstanding quality of life,” he said.

Shawn Nelson, the current city manager, announced last month he planned to retire. To read more about that, .