Stanley Johnson, vice provost of ISU Extension, has announced his plans to retire next fall after nearly 20 years of service, sparking a search for a replacement.

Johnson is responsible for managing Iowa State’s continuing education and extension service, which includes approximately 1,300 employees and 950 full-time equivalents.

Johnson began his work at Iowa State in 1985 as the director of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development. He became vice provost for extension in 1996.

“I think it’s a great institution,” Johnson said. “Being a part of it has been a big honor for me.”

Johnson has written 11 books on economics and economic modeling. He has also worked internationally and served on the World Food Prize advisory board since 1995.

Johnson said he has enjoyed working with people and changing the extension system to be more consistent with the environment in which Iowans live.

“Stan is very energetic, has lots of ideas and cares deeply about the citizens of the state,” said JaneAnn Stout, associate dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. “I think he has worked hard for many years, and we’ve been fortunate to have him as a leader.”

Johnson said he plans to move to Reno, Nev., where his wife — Maureen Kilkenny, associate professor of economics — will be teaching at the University of Nevada. He said he will continue to work on various national and state issues related to extension services.

Ben Allen, provost and vice president for academic affairs, will be leading the search to fill Johnson’s position. Allen said he plans on forming a search committee sometime in the next two weeks.

The committee will then write a position description indicating the type of person they’re looking for, advertise the position and ask for nominees, he said.

Although Allen said he believes Johnson would be difficult to replace, he is confident there is a national pool of qualified applicants to choose from.

“We have to have someone who is very understanding of what extension is and has experience in managing a complex, large organization, has strong leadership skills and understands a land-grant university,” Allen said.

He said he expects the new vice provost for extension will start in late fall once Johnson retires.