John Hofstad was appointed as County Administrator of Okaloosa County in 2014.  Prior to his current position as the Okaloosa County Administrator, Mr. Hofstad served as the Okaloosa County Public Works Director for over four years and as the interim County Administrator on two occasions. Directing the largest department within the county prepared him for leading Okaloosa County. In addition to leading the Public Works Department, consisting of Road and Bridge, Parks, Solid Waste, Recycling, Mosquito Control, Artificial Reef and Engineering divisions, he also provided executive leadership over four additional departments: Agricultural Extension Office, Facilities Maintenance, Fleet Operations, and Information Systems.

Mr. Hofstad has been a resident of Okaloosa County most of his life and has over 38 years of experience in local government service, which includes 10 years with the City of Mary Esther and 14 years with the City of Fort Walton Beach, prior to his employment with Okaloosa County. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from The University of West Florida and a Graduate Certificate in Florida City and County Management from the Askew School of Public Policy and Administration at Florida State University.

As the County Administrator, Mr. Hofstad provides executive oversight of all departments under the Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners and serves in a liaison capacity to several non-profits and government support organizations. Okaloosa County government consists of departments and constitutional officers within three categories:

• Public Safety: Corrections, Inspections, Emergency Medical Services, Emergency Management, Sheriff

• Essential Services: Airports, Constitutional offices, Extension Services, Facilities Maintenance, Growth Management, Information Systems, Judicial, Health Dept., Transit, Public Works, Water & Sewer

• Quality of Life: Museums, Libraries, Parks, Tourist Development Dept., Veterans Services

Mr. Hofstad previously served on the Board of Directors for the United Way of Okaloosa and Walton Counties; and currently serves on the boards of Tri County Community Council, the ARC of the Emerald Coast, and Community Solutions. John is a member of the Florida Association of County Managers and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2019 and recently finished his appointment as the association’s 2022/23 President. Additionally, he is a past Honorary Commander of Hurlburt Field’s 1st SOW, a participant of the 63rd National Security Forum at the USAF Air War College, and is an active member of the Crestview Rotary Club.