DeKalb County’s newest clerk has been in his role for just a month, but he’s ready to see how he can use his background to help county residents.

Douglas J. Johnson, county clerk and recorder, was appointed by the County Board after the former clerk and recorder, John Acardo, resigned during his term. Acardo resigned from his county position on Sept. 17 to take the human resources director position at Kishwaukee College in Malta. Johnson was recommended by the DeKalb County Republicans before being appointed by the board.

Johnson said his background in this kind of work stems from working with his family on tax liens in the real estate business.

“My love for county government came from the time I’ve worked with different counties doing title searches, doing research on properties and looking over different investment opportunities…,” Johnson said.

Johnson, who worked on the board of review for DeKalb County for 10 years, said he knows well the administration building, where his new office is. He said working on the Board of Review opened up the possibility of taking on the new position.

“That’s how I heard John resigned and they were going to start looking,” Johnson said. “I was approached by other department heads to go after this position because I’d worked with them and they thought I’d be good at it.”

Johnson said “technology is everything” and he plans to pick up some of the technology initiatives his predecessor started, such as working on county social networking and creating an app for the county so residents can interact with the county even more.

“I really enjoy a challenge and learning new things,” Johnson said.

Johnson plans to use past experiences, such as being an election judge, to help him. He’s preparing for the county’s primary election day on March 18. That day, he will be running for the position he is currently filling but also overseeing elections as clerk and recorder.

“I’ve always worked closely with county officials and that’s what I’ve enjoyed,” Johnson said. “Those are the people in my mind, that are down here working with the people daily.”

Johnson said he has “thoroughly enjoyed” his first month as county clerk and recorder and has immersed himself in his work, as his children have taken over his tax lien investments business.