Penn Manor is bidding farewell to a beloved staff member, Chief Financial Officer Chris Johnston, who retires June 30.
Johnston joined the Penn Manor staff in January of 1996 as assistant business manager and was named business manager in 2004. He has been CFO since 2022.
“Chris has been a man of integrity and has demonstrated that in his daily work,” said Dr. Phil Gale, Penn Manor superintendent. “He comes in each day with a smile on his face, and it’s needless to say that Chris will be missed.”
At the June 25 school board meeting, Johnston was honored with a resolution for his “outstanding service to students, families, citizens and the staff of Penn Manor” and presented with an engraved bowl as a retirement gift.
Chris was known in the office for his upbeat demeanor, the homemade treats he periodically shared with the staff, his love of all things Disney and his enthusiasm for Todd Rundgren and St. Patrick’s Day, which happens to be his birthday.
As Christmas approached each year, he would don elf booties that jingled as he walked through the office, and this past St. Patrick’s Day, he came to work dressed as a leprechaun, complete with an orange beard – which he dyed for the occasion.
School board president Herk Rintz credited Johnston with guiding Penn Manor through several tough financial years and leaving the district on solid financial footing.
“His commitment and dedication to Penn Manor is second to none,” Rintz said. “More importantly, he’s leaving the district in very good shape financially. On behalf of the community, thank you, Chris, for what you’ve done for Penn Manor.”
In an address to the school board, Johnston gave the credit to his coworkers.
“This place and the people I’ve worked with are very special to me. I loved the fact that I was a support person who worked pretty much behind the scenes. I couldn’t have been successful without the amazing teams in the business office that I’ve been blessed to work with,” he said.
“My goals have only been to make my parents proud, to make my wife and sons proud, and to try to set a quiet example of hard work supporting others and staying positive, and I leave knowing I’ve met all of my goals. So I thank all of you.”
Johnston has been working since March with his successor as CFO, Dan Forry.
We congratulate Chris and wish him only the best in retirement!
Chris Johnston in 2003
