At a time when the Stockton City Council is engulfed in controversy and division, along comes a prospective city manager known for kindness, generosity and the ability to bring people together.
For Johnny Ford, the prospect of becoming Stockton’s next administrative leader would mark a return to a government that once spurned him. He was forced out as deputy city manager in 2009 after seven years on the job over unfounded allegations that he accepted free tickets. Then, after he was gone, he was exonerated of any wrongdoing by a council committee.
Ford left Stockton to serve from 2013 to 2015 as a deputy city manager — including a stint as interim city manager — in Compton. That’s the Los Angeles suburb known for producing some of the nation’s best-known hip-hop artists. He returned to Stockton to become a business owner.
Public records show Ford has been associated with at least three businesses — KJ Quality Transportation, Wesman Supply and most recently, JC Global Enterprise and Associates.
Friends say Ford, who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Grambling State University in Louisiana, is a family man and devout Christian who goes out of his way to help people.
Aaron Edwards, who works in Manteca, said he first met Ford about 25 years ago. Ford was mentoring high school students on job-preparation skills, and Ford conducted a mock job interview with Edwards.
“He has a very calm demeanor. He doesn’t get riled up,” Edwards said. “He tries to bridge people’s viewpoints.”
Even when Ford had taken the job in Compton, he was there for Edwards.
Then chair of Stockton’s Parks and Recreation Commission, Edwards reached out to Ford for advice. It was the right place to go: Ford had been parks director in Durham, North Carolina, for four years before being hired in Stockton.
Edwards wanted advice on how the commission could help motivate city workers in the wake of the city’s bankruptcy. Ford provided a solution: “He literally walked me step-by-step how to increase the morale of the staff.”
Edwards saw Ford’s personal side as well. Once they encountered an unhoused person as they walked into a Starbucks coffeehouse together. Ford, he said, was quick to dip into his pocket for a few dollars : “You know, a nice coffee and a muffin to eat.”
As city manager, Ford would bring Stockton “humanity along with stability” at a time of turmoil, he said.
Others agree.
Ford has the experience, knowledge of the workings of city hall and demeanor to be an outstanding city manager, said Bishop Dwight Earl Williams.
“He’s a hard worker, no-nonsense,” said Williams, pastor and president of New Genesis Outreach Ministries of Stockton. “He’s very good a making personal relationships and working and bringing people together.”
Willams said he’s known Ford for several years. Both are members of the same fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. He said Ford is a problem solver and motivator, yet retains a strong sense of humor.
Williams said he hopes to be in attendance at the city council meeting Tuesday to support his friend.
“He knows how to work with people and can bring people together,” Williams said. “That’s something I definitely think we need in a city manager right now.”