CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Supreme Court Administrator Gary Johnson has announced his resignation, effective June 30.
Attorney Barbara Allen, who served as the court administrator from 2001 to 2002 has been hired as the interim director while the Supreme Court conducts a search for a permanent administrator.
The Supreme Court has been under scrutiny over the past nine months because of revelations over its spending habits.
Johnson has been administrator since March 6, 2017.
He served as a Nicholas County circuit judge from 1992 to 2016.
“I truly appreciate the opportunity the Court has given me these past seventeen months to work with the wonderful employees of the West Virginia court system,” Johnson stated.
“I have found my work here to be both challenging and fulfilling. I look forward to exploring other opportunities for public service.”
Chief Justice Margaret Workman issued a statement of appreciation for Johnson. She also expressed gratitude that Allen is available to step in.
“Judge Johnson has had a long and distinguished career. We appreciate his service, and we all wish him well,” Workman stated.
“The Court is immensely grateful that Barbara Allen has agreed to come out of semi-retirement to serve on an interim basis. Her prior experience as administrative director, as well as experience throughout a long and outstanding legal career, will give us a solid base while we search for a permanent director.”
Allen served as managing deputy attorney general from 1997 until 2012, except for her tenure as Supreme Court administrator.
While Johnson served as a circuit judge in Nicholas County, he was chairman of the West Virginia Court
Improvement Program Oversight Board for 16 years.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from West Virginia University before working as the state’s first flood insurance coordinator.
As a private attorney, he served as Richwood’s municipal judge and was elected to a four-year term as Nicholas County prosecutor in 1985.
He was elected to the circuit judge position in Nicholas County in 1992. He served until he lost the general election by a little more than 200 votes in 2016.