Matt was elected at the age of 18 to serve as a council member for the City of El Reno and served for five years and has now served as mayor for the last 15 years. He was awarded the Mayor of the Year by the Mayor’s Council of Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Municipal League in 2019 and was instrumental in gaining the Innovation Award from the Oklahoma Municipal League for the Route 66 sign in El Reno.
Matt has served on the Oklahoma Municipal League Board of Directors since 2017 and has also served on the boards of the Oklahoma Emergency Management, the Mayors Council of Oklahoma and the Association of Central Oklahoma Government, as well as the ACOG 911 Board.
He was instrumental in securing a partnership with SSM to build the new Healthplex, Healthcare in El Reno. In addition, Matt played a huge part in securing the 1-40 interchange in El Reno on Radio Rd; and $10 million in capital improvements from the Capital Improvements Program.
Matt is an accomplished Real Estate Developer and Property Owner/Aggregate Consultant with extensive experience in strategic planning, and problem-solving, and is experienced in building solid partnerships among businesses, city, state, and community leaders that produce tangible results. His strengths include skills in communication, community outreach, management, partnerships, advocacy, marketing, and problem-solving. As the Mayor of El Reno, his responsibilities include initiating and managing capital improvement projects and representing his community in the legislative process.
He launched the program “El Reno NOW,” a partnership between City of El Reno, local school districts, and county and state officials that focuses on issues facing our community and state; initiated and implemented a successful marketing campaign to promote El Reno: TV ads, El Reno Living Brochures, creating local landmarks on Route 66 and other fairways leading into the city; and facilitated the acquisition of a failing local hospital, taking a 1-million-dollar loss and turning it into a long-term profitable contract with Mercy Hospital.
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In the past 19 years, Joe Edward Williams has used his seat on the Bixby City Council to become a highly regarded leader for intergovernmental cooperation and economic development in the greater metropolitan area. At the same time, he oversaw numerous developments and facilities to improve the quality of life for citizens of Bixby. Joe has been a member of the Bixby City Council since 1989. Fellow council members elected him Mayor for terms running from 1989 to 1991 and again from 1993 to 2006.
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It could be said that Shane Woolbright stopped in Oklahoma for 30 years on his way from Arkansas to New Mexico. And Oklahoma cities and towns have been the beneficiaries of that sojourn. Shane was born in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Since retiring earlier this year, he has moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico. He received his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Arkansas in 1978, while working for the City of Jenks. In addition to the numerous municipal government accomplishments, Shane has also served as Chair of the Audubon Society of Central Oklahoma, president of his neighborhood association, and as a member of numerous environmental groups.
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Gerald passed away in 1988, long before this hall of fame was organized. He is the 6th person to be inducted posthumously. The following is an example of how Gerald Wilkins’ induction in the Hall of Fame epitomizes the values, principles, and integrity that this honor embodies and why the Gerald Wilkins Award, the sole professional achievement award presented by the City Management Association of Oklahoma, is so significant in Oklahoma city management.
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George F. Wilkinson is among that rare group of public officials who serve first as an elected official before becoming an appointed official in their community. Little did he or the community realize in the 1963 city commission election that his public service career would extend for more than 40 years. And, it is still continuing.
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It is said that David Weatherford is the most unique municipal attorney in the state of this generation. His service and influence spans state-wide and is changing communities not only for today but also for the next generation of municipal leaders. He is truly committed to his profession as a city attorney for the betterment of communities across Oklahoma.
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