City of Hamilton names new General Manager, Healthy & Safe Communities

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2018 the successful candidate for the position of General Manager, Healthy & Safe Communities is Paul Johnson. Johnson is currently Director of the LRT Project.

The position replaces the City’s General Manager, Community & Emergency Services role to better reflect the upcoming integration of the Community & Emergency Services and Public Health Services departments, which will take place in the coming months. The departments are integrating to better serve citizens and support the City’s Strategic Plan priority of Healthy & Safe Communities.

Johnson has over 17 years of executive experience in leading initiatives in the human services sector. More recently, he has served as Director of the LRT Project, achieving key project milestones, including the implementation of an engagement strategy that has provided education and feedback opportunities for residents and business owners in the community. Prior to that, he was the City’s Director, Corporate Initiatives where he delivered on a number of key initiatives including the facilitation of the City’s Strategic Plan and the collaboration process that led to the City’s Public Engagement Strategy. He joined the City in 2010, and played a lead role in spearheading the City’s Healthy Neighbourhoods Strategy. Prior to joining the City, Johnson worked as Executive Director for Wesley Urban Ministries.

Vicki Woodcox will continue to serve as Acting General Manager, Community & Emergency Services until Johnson is able to ensure the successful transfer of functions and accountabilities with respect to the LRT project and assume all of the responsibilities associated with his new role.

The transition plan for the leadership of the LRT Office will be announced next month. 

"Paul is highly respected and his leadership will ensure the highest level of delivery in health, social and emergency services to citizens of our city. His proven ability to manage multiple project elements will continue to be a great asset in his new role. On behalf of Council, I congratulate him and look forward to working to continually improve Hamilton's response to the growing need in these areas.” - Mayor Fred Eisenberger

“Paul is a strategic, trusted, results-focused leader with a proven ability to deliver solutions for complex community issues. His unique talent for developing collaborative approaches and working with a variety of sectors will be critical to moving the Healthy & Safe Communities work forward.” - City Manager, Chris Murray