Johnson named TEDA director

Pending what was described as certain approval by the full Terrebonne Economic Development Council Board of Commissioners on Tuesday and the Terrebonne Parish Council tonight, a special executive search committee on Friday unanimously named 36-year-old Nicholas Johnson as their recommendation to become TEDA’s second-ever CEO.

“I am tremendously excited not only for this opportunity, but I’m excited for the potential,” Johnson said in a telephone interview after being told he would be recommended for the position. “[I’m looking forward] to coming to Terrebonne Parish and have a leadership role to help Terrebonne to its next level of development.”

Johnson will be leaving his position of the past 31 months as economic development coordinator with the Texas Association of Regional Councils in Austin, Texas.

Prior to that he worked as a business development specialist for the city of Austin was a planning assistant for the Texas Department of Transportation, gained five years experience working in public affairs, communications and marketing, and served as a legal assistant for the U.S. Army law offices at Fort Hood, Texas.

Johnson is a certified economic development and finance professional. He has a master’s degree in public administration and is working toward a doctorate in public policy, which he expects to complete by May 2012.

“I think anyone you choose would be able to do the job,” said Chloe Johnson, owner of the executive search firm Johnson and Associates, which headed the 5-month effort to find a new TEDA CEO, on Thursday prior to final interviews.

Johnson was among three finalists that included Fred Duplantis of Baton Rouge and Drew Page of Bogart, Ga.

“Each one is entirely different,” Chloe Johnson said. “Nick’s ability to get along with different people and please all of them at the same time is extremely important. He has an outstanding reputation and ability to put things together and accomplish things.”

During a Thursday evening reception, when TEDA stakeholders were able to meet the top three candidates before final interviews were held, Johnson said that he found having a diverse economic base to be an important strength upon which the region could build. “You see a huge balance, which is good,” he said.

Johnson said he would like to see a greater pooling of resources from various agencies and organizations of the region as well as what can be gained by establishing closer working ties with Fletcher Technical Community College and Nicholls State.

TEDA Board Chairman Don Hingle said although verbal notice and acceptance of the recommendation was made between the search committee and Johnson, he would be sending Johnson a formal acceptance following the expected full TEDA board stamp of approval.

The selection of Johnson for this position did not come without controversy. Some TEDA board members and media observers questioned the search committee decision to act in a hiring position before a full vote had been offered to the entire board of commissioners in a public setting, or a review of the candidates was offered a time of public input.

While some board members blasted the executive search committee and suggested that a select number were trying to impose their will on others without due process, they also said they had no opposition to Johnson being selected to fill the role.

The resistance, according to insiders, was not the decision made, but a failure to follow detailed legal procedure. This would have included the search committee coming out of executive session, during which character and competency issues may be discussed, and making their final vote of recommendation in public.

When questioned about it, Hingle said he would take responsibility for the procedural error.

Hingle has repeatedly denied accusations made by some board members that he tries to impose his will on them and admitted that business leaders adjusting their typical decision making patterns to the required procedures of a public body is at times a challenge to remember.

“Right now my brain is fried,” Hingle said late Friday, after decisions on the hire were announced. “I don’t expect any issues from [the full board or parish council], but it will be official then. It was really close [among the candidates].”

Johnson said he intends to be on the job no later than June 15. Once confirmed, he will begin with a base salary of $80,000. TEDA had advertised an annual compensation range for this position being from $76,000 to $105,000.

“I’m hoping the experience and accomplishments I’ve had in the state of Texas, and the real estate and redevelopment experience I have would help me bring some good things here,” Johnson said. “I’m saying, ‘Thank you and I’m accepting the job.'”

Johnson will pick up the role formerly held by Michael Ferdinand, who was terminated from the position in December 2010, before the completion of his contract.