For the next several weeks, we'll feature one member of our 2012 Influencer Index each day. John Bohenko, Portsmouth city manager, is first up on our list.
Need to get something done in the city of Portsmouth? Go see John Bohenko. For the past 15 years, Bohenko has served as Portsmouth city manager, making sure city government encourages economic development, from improving infrastructure to playing a role in making Pease Tradeport a major economic driver.
I really enjoy working on projects where you can see the results and see the impact it has on the community you're living in, Bohenko says. He is quick to credit the City Council with providing effective leadership over the years, but those who nominated Bohenko point out he has been instrumental in making major projects happen. Bohenko led the charge to create a predictable and stable budgeting process for the city and has championed investment in the city's infrastructure, including building LEED-certified buildings in recent years for the fire department and the library.
Bohenko helped facilitate a partnership with the city's cultural commission to study the affect of the cultural economy on Portsmouth ($38 million annually, according to the 2006 study) and develop ways to strengthen it. Bohenko and the city have also added parking incentives and economic revitalization zones to its economic development tool kit. We believe businesses and community groups should be leading and we are there to support and work with them, Bohenko says.
Current Issue - May 2024