This Friday, January 2, Bossier City will have an empty CAO (Chief Administrative Officer) desk. Friday is the day Amanda Nottingham’s resignation from the CAO position is effective. She was first appointed interim CAO on September 8, 2021.
To date Bossier Mayor Tommy Chandler has NOT mentioned any possible candidates to succeed Nottingham. Chandler’s second term as mayor just began on July 1 of this year and the success of this term will hinge upon two major factors.
The first is his CAO nomination. The second is his relationship with the Bossier Council, who must approve his selection.
Louis Johnson, Bossier’s public information officer (PIO), advises that Mayor Tommy has not interviewed any candidates. Johnson stated that the mayor had not decided whether to appoint someone immediately or have someone serve on an interim basis.
Mayor Tommy has been rebuffed several times since July 1 by the new council. One can be certain that he will be very careful in his selection.
The Council’s disapproval of his nominee would be reminiscent of the landmine he stepped on in his first term when Shane Cheatum was the presumed choice, only to be countered by stiff opposition led by then councilman David Montgomery. Many of the players on the council are different today, but the independent attitude is the same if not intensified
In early May 2023 Johnson was appointed Bossier’s PIO. Johnson was a 33-year veteran of the Shreveport Fire Department where he was the PIO for 16 years.
Johnson has previously been an instructor for the Shreveport Leadership Academy, SUSLA and BPCC. He also served as a Caddo Commissioner.
Johnson has earned high marks as the Bossier PIO from the media, the Bossier Council and members of the Bossier administration. His fire department service immediately helped him bond with both Bossier fire and police. Johnson’s humble attitude and responsiveness to inquiries has been a major benefit to Bossier.
As mayor Chandler has benefited greatly from Johnson’s loyalty and credibility, One should not be surprised if Johnson is named as the interim CAO next week. He certainly has the credentials and the records of service to merit the selection as the interim, and very likely the permanent CAO.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.