Assistant County Administrators
Aric Jensen
Aric A. Jensen has served as Assistant County Administrator for the County since August 2021. Prior to this, Jensen served 14 years as a Director for various agencies in Utah and Nevada, and in an executive position in the private sector.
Jensen has served in numerous leadership positions, including as Vice President and President of the Utah Chapter of the American Planning Association, on the Advisory Board of the University of Utah College of Architecture and Planning, and as Chair of the Bountiful City Administrative Commission.
He holds a Master of Public Administration, a Bachelor of University Studies in Real Estate Development, and a Professional Certificate in Urban Planning from the University of Utah. He holds credentials from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), and from the International City/County Management Association (ICMA-CM).
Areas: Planning, Building and Safety, Business Licensing, County Assessor, Register of Deeds, Conservation, Animal Care, Vector Control
"Where there is no vision, the people perish – Proverbs 29:18"
Lori Thomas
Lori has been with Richland County since December, 2020 in her current role. Prior to coming the Richland, she spent 14 years with the City of Rock Hill in various financial management and organizational development roles. Prior to coming to local government, Lori spent over 20 years in financial and executive leadership in the private sector before finding her passion in local government and community service.
Lori has served on national standing committees for the Government Finance Officers Association of the US and Canada, president of the Women’s Professional Financial Network, on the executive board of the Government Finance Officers Association of SC. She is an active member of GFOA, GFOASC, SCCCMA, SCAC, is frequently called upon to present on local government finance topics both nationally and regionally. Lori was named one of four "2024 Inspirational Women in Local Government" by Barrett and Greene.
Lori holds a BS in Business from the University of South Carolina, an MBA from Winthrop University, Advanced Government Finance Institute Certification from the University of Wisconsin and is a Certified Government Financial Officer.
Areas: Budget, Finance, Human Resources, Operational Services, Procurement and Risk Management
"Management is doing things right; leadership is doing the right things."
Dr. John Thompson
John Mark Thompson, a native of Richland County, has served as Assistant County Administrator for the county since February 2019. Prior to his current role, Thompson served as an agency head in both Richland and Fulton Counties and an appointee for two mayors of the District of Columbia.
Beyond his assistant county administrator’s duties, Thompson serves as a Reserve Deputy for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, college professor for various universities, and a board member for numerous local, regional, and national not-for-profit organizations. He is the founder and president of the Midlands Chapter of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators.
He holds an earned Doctor of Philosophy degree in Health Services from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota; a Master of Divinity degree from Anderson University in Anderson, South Carolina; a Master of Business Administration degree and a Master of Arts degree in Health Services Management from Webster University in Columbia, South Carolina; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a Minor in Psychology from the University of South Carolina at Columbia. John also completed the Certified Public Manager (CPM) program at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. He is a credentialed public administrator through the International City/County Management Association and holds fellowship designation in two national health care administration organizations.
Areas: Emergency Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Public Works, Transportation, and Utilities
"In a world filled with hate, radiate it with your love. In a world filled with darkness, radiate it with your light. Your humanity could ignite the love that is lacking in this world."