Deputy city manager retires

  • From the left, Deputy City Manager Richard Rogalski is shown with Lawton City Manager Michael Cleghorn during Rogalski’s recent retirement party. Rogalski retired after 21 years of service to the city. Photo courtesy City of Lawton
    From the left, Deputy City Manager Richard Rogalski is shown with Lawton City Manager Michael Cleghorn during Rogalski’s recent retirement party. Rogalski retired after 21 years of service to the city. Photo courtesy City of Lawton

    LAWTON – Deputy City Manager Richard Rogalski recently retired from the city of Lawton after 21 years.
    Rogalski joined the city staff in 2001 with the Engineering Division before becoming the planning director in 2005, according to a news release from City Hall. He also served as the community services director from 2012 to 2020.
    In 2020, he moved to the city manager’s office as deputy city manager under Michael Cleghorn.
    “I have really appreciated my time working at the City of Lawton,” Rogalski said in the news release. “This has been much more than a job. It’s been a vessel that has taken me to new heights of my career. Lawton is a special place and Kim and I have so many great friends here.”
    Rogalski’s endeavors exceed working in a few departments, according to the news release. He’s currently the executive director of the Lawton Enhancement Trust Authority and the Lawton Urban Renewal Authority. He’s also the director of the Lawton Economic Development Authority.
    Rogalski said he will continue his duties as executive director and director during the transition of leadership.
    “Though retired from city employment, I will continue to be a part of the Lawton-Fort Sill community,” he said. “I’m excited to help out wherever I can.”
    While Rogalski may be retiring from the City of Lawton, he’s taken on a new role in Anadarko as the city manager. He started his new job Aug. 1.