KENNEWICK, Wash. – Benton County announced on Friday its new public defense director will be Keith Johnson, amid a statewide public defender shortage.
Johnson starts in Jan. 2025, replacing interim Public Defense Manager Larry Ziegler.
Johnson comes from Chickasha, Oklahoma where he served as the city manager. He also spent time as county administrator for Franklin County from 2015 to 2022.
Johnson also studied Business Administration with an Accounting Major at Boise State University and holds a Juris Doctor at the University of Denver College of Law.
“Keith is an experienced leader and brings a high-level skillset to the table,” said Benton County Administrator Jerrod MacPherson. “His presence and leadership will impact our community in a positive way for years to come.”
Johnson was also the chairman of the Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Council and an executive committee member of the National Association of State controllers. He was also given an American Jurisprudence Award in Contracts Law.
The appointment follows a statewide shortage in public defenders, Benton County included. In June 2024, five inmates were released from the Benton County Jail due to a lack of defenders.
