Richardson | February 2022

PEOPLE

BY WILLIAM C. WADSACK

"I DID NOT DO MUCH OF ANYTHING. I ORCHESTRATED AND CAUSED THE AMAZING TALENTS OF THIS CITY TO COME TOGETHER AND DO IT. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT." DAN JOHNSON

Dan Johnson Richardson City Manager

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 served as the city’s deputy city manager from 1996 until June 2012, when he was promoted to his current job. Prior to coming to Richardson, he 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. Johnson announced his plan to retire in December, and City Council named Deputy City Manager Don Magner as his successor a week later. TALKABOUT THE ROLE OF A CITYMANAGER.

City Manager Dan Johnson plans to retire at the end of February. (William C. Wadsack/Community Impact Newspaper)

individual, but in fact, it’s always a group decision. ... One of the things that I’ve appreciated is that this community and this council, and prior councils, have been very goal- and mission-oriented. WHAT DO YOU THINKHAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST ACCOM PLISHMENT IN RICHARDSON? I did not do much of anything. I orchestrated and caused the amazing talents of this city to come together and do it. I really believe that. If I’ve done anything, it’s about harnessing and coordinating and connecting and

inspiring and certainly communicat- ing, and those kinds of things that I’m asked to do in a lead role. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FORESEE FOR RICHARDSON? You can’t ignore the dynamics of the COVID[-19] phenomena, in so many known and emerging impacts. It’s something to kind of navigate through. I don’t think that is unique [to] Richardson. But we’ve got to be purposeful to still [get] where we’re trying to go. Richardson’s ... fundamentals are so

good, that it has been able to discern and interpret how it needs to be positioned for the next tomorrow. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR DONMAGNER? The advice for Don is [to] continue his good work [that] he’s already done these past 25 years. Be atten- tive to constituents, be attentive to good service delivery, and bring value to our citizens and all of our stakeholders.

The business analogy would be the chief executive ocer—I am the full- time, hired person to manage the city. Then, my job is just coordination and orchestrating to deliver on responsi- bilities, service and missions. WHAT ARE SOME BEST PRAC TICES FORWORKINGWITH THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL? Having just a real active, open and honest engagement is really important. You really have got to honor each council person as an

Editor’s note: Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

The right care. Right now. Dr. Varkey is now accepting same day appointments. Moncy Varkey, DO An experienced primary care physician serving his patients since 2012, Dr. Varkey has special interests in geriatrics, well visits, chronic conditions, and pediatrics. The cornerstone of Dr. Varkey’s practice is communication and education, because he knows that when patients better understand their health, they’re more capable of managing it and being proactive. Dr. Varkey also offers in-office procedures, such as, joint injections, skin biopsies, skin tag removals, draining abscesses, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment and more. Caring for our friends and neighbors where and when they need it. That’s community and why so many people Trust Methodist.

Moncy Varkey, DO

Lamyen Tran, MD

Jessica Dean, DO Denise Russell, FNP

399 W. Campbell Rd. Suite 101 Richardson, TX 75080 972-238-1848

To schedule an appointment, call 972-238-1848

Methodist Richardson Family Medical Group is owned and operated by MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group and staffed by independently practicing physicians who are employees of MedHealth/Methodist Medical Group. The physicians and staff who provide services at these sites are not employees or agents of Methodist Health System or any of its affiliated hospitals.

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