Johnson Elected as New CEO at ARCHS

ARCHS Board of Directors elected Leslie A. Johnson, Jr. to serve as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of ARCHS, effective October 1, 2025.

Leslie Johnson

“After a five-month selection process, over 400 national and local applicants, and three outstanding finalists, Les emerged as the clear choice to lead ARCHS into the future,” says ARCHS’ Board Chair, Jacqueline Wellington. “The Board is especially excited that Les is well known and highly respected by all of our local, state and federal constituents. His track record of accomplishments is outstanding.”

Johnson has 28 years of distinguished service at ARCHS. Currently serving as Vice President, Grant Initiatives, he is a proven leader in strategic planning, grant management and public-private collaboration. He is also a former Site Manager at the Ford Caring Communities Program so many years ago.

“I am extremely excited to serve as ARCHS next President and CEO. ARCHS has had a twenty-year run of unprecedented growth. That growth represents the ability to deliver vital individual and family resources to the most vulnerable populations in Metro St. Louis,” says Johnson. “My vision, integrity and collaborative spirit will continue to elevate ARCHS’ mission and impact across the St. Louis region.”

Johnson has been instrumental in shaping ARCHS operational and cultural transformation and has driven measurable impact across the St. Louis region. This has included leading regional initiatives valued at more than $200 million focusing on community and workforce development, food insecurity, housing, environmental justice and justice-involved individuals.

At the state level, Johnson is a trusted voice in policy and advocacy. He regularly engages with senior federal and state government officials, state department heads and legislators – making strategic policy recommendations, identifying funding and service gaps and reporting on project outcomes.

Johnson has received the Keystone Award from the Missouri Association for Workforce Development and the Inaugural Community Collaborator Award from the Missouri Department of Corrections. His community involvement includes service as:· Board Member, National Association for Workforce Development Professionals· Co-Chair, St. Louis Alliance for Reentry· Advisory Board Member, Save Lives Now!, East-West Gateway Council of Governments· Advocacy Council Member, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of St. Louis· Member, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Graduate Chapter of St. Louis· Graduate, FOCUS St. Louis Leadership Program.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a focus on Nonprofit Management and Social and Economic Development and a Master’s Certificate in Urban Family and Community Development Studies from Washington University, the Brown School of Social Work, St. Louis, MO. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice from Culver Stockton College, Canton, MO.

Johnson succeeds ARCHS’ President and CEO, Wendell E. Kimbrough, who retired on

September 30, 2025, after 20 years of service.