Blanchard names next city manager

Kolman hired, Floyd to retire June 30

By Ryan Horton
The Blanchard News

Longtime city manager Robert Floyd, left, welcomes Roger Kolman. Kolman will take the helm of Blanchard City HAll when Floyd retires at the change of the fiscal year, July 1. (PHOTO BY TONY STRICKLAND)

Roger Kolman has been named Blanchard’s next city manager.

He will replace retiring city manager Robert Floyd, July 1.

Kolmsn comes to Blanchard with more than 25 years of city administration experience.

He has been working in Muskogee, since 2023 as their assistant city manager, and has been appointed as their interim city manager.

Prior to his arrival at Muskogee, he served as the city manager of Coweta for seven years, the city manager of Glenpool for three years and city manager of Anadarko for an additional three years.

Before moving to Oklahoma, Roger worked in several different city administration positions in Arizona with the cities of Maricopa and Chandler. Those positions include serving as an assistant city manager, interim city manager, director of financial services, accountant, and as an audit manager.

Kolman earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at Eastern Montana College and a master’s degree in public administration at Northern Arizona University.

He and his wife, Amanda, have two daughters. Their oldest daughter, Charlotte is a senior in high school and graduates this May.  She is planning to attend the University of Oklahoma or Oklahoma State University in the fall to study architecture. Their youngest daughter, Rainey, is a freshman in high school and is very excited about the opportunity to meet new friends in Blanchard.

Kolman comes to Blanchard with wonderful recommendations from his previous employers and associated community personnel.  He has previously served in volunteer community roles, while working for the city in which he lives.  The family is currently looking to reside in the Blanchard area.   He made it clear during his interview that he has always been and intends to remain accessible to the public and be a good listener to the needs and concerns of the community.

He will not start his position in Blanchard immediately.

Instead, he has requested that he be permitted to remain in Muskogee and assist them in their budget planning, before he leaves.

Since Floyd, the current city manager, is not retiring until June 30, this will not be an issue for the City of Blanchard.

Officials say this will allow for both managers to work together and ensure a smooth transition.