After more than 25 years in leadership positions with the city of Richardson, City Manager Dan Johnson plans to retire at the end of February.

Johnson announced his impending retirement during Richardson City Council’s Dec. 6 work session. Council will consider options for a new city manager at a future date, according to a Richardson news release.

“It has been [the] honor of my life to serve you and the citizens of this great Richardson community over these past 25 years,” Johnson said in a letter he read to council and Mayor Paul Voelker during the meeting. “It’s been my privilege to assist this city in delivering quality public services and engaging the city in impactful partnerships that have fostered prosperity and enriched the community we call home.”

Johnson served as Richardson’s deputy city manager from 1996 until June 2012, when he was promoted to his current position. Prior to coming to Richardson, Johnson worked in Carrollton and Sherman and with the North Central Texas Council of Governments. He has 45 years of service with municipal governments in total.

“This community has been very fortunate to have benefited from the experience and leadership Dan has been able to provide during his time here,” Voelker said in a statement. “He has been a true servant leader living by the Athenian Oath—to add value to the community and to hand it off in better condition than it was when he started working here. I can say that he has definitely done that, and we express our appreciation and well wishes as he embarks on his next chapter in life.”


During his tenure in Richardson, Johnson has played a central role in projects such as the Texas Instruments Wafer Fabrication facility, the Galatyn Commons Office Park, and the Renaissance Hotel and Conference Center, according to the news release.