Stockton fire marshal to be Lodi’s next chief

Ken Johnson has been with Stockton department for 23 years

Ken Johnson, a veteran firefighter who spent more than two decades with the Stockton Fire Department, has been named the Lodi Fire Department’s next chief.

Johnson’s first day with Lodi will be May 31, according to a City of Lodi Facebook post. Johnson will replace Gene Stoddart, who retired last December after nearly three years at the helm.

When Stoddart announced his retirement, City Manager Steve Schwabauer told the News-Sentinel that the city would be looking to hire from the outside and would consult with a hiring firm.

Deputy Chief Ron Penix has served in an interim role since Stoddart’s departure.

Johnson spent 23 years at the Stockton Fire Department, rising to the rank of fire marshal. He oversaw the department’s fire training program for many years, and in that capacity trained many of Lodi’s younger generation of firefighters and worked with many of Lodi Fire’s senior staff to build and manage the training program, according to the city’s Facebook post.

Johnson is active in the Lodi community, having co-founded the Upward basketball program and has deep connections to the community. Johnson is set to receive his bachelor’s degree in fire administration this June from Columbia Southern University, has an associate’s degree in fire science from Modesto Junior College, and received a management certificate from University of the Pacific.

Johnson’s employment contract requires council approval and will be up for consideration at the Lodi City Council’s regular meeting on May 5.