19-03-2025
Long-time city employee Brent Bryant named OKC's assistant city manager
A long-time employee for Oklahoma City has been promoted to assistant city manager, the second highest-ranking position in city government.
Brent Bryant, who previously served as the city's chief financial officer, will oversee five departments. He's worked for the City of Oklahoma City for about 33 and a half years.
'I feel very fortunate to get this appointment,' he told The Oklahoman.
He added he understood there's a weight to the job itself, but he wants to keep providing great service and build the momentum the city has right now. Bryant started his career with the city in 1991, working as an internal auditor, and in 2019, he became the city's chief financial officer.
Before that, Bryant also worked as a contract coordinator, management and budget analyst and specialist, interim risk manager, business manager and economic development program manager.
City Manager Craig Freeman said Bryant successfully led some of Oklahoma City's most complex financial programs.
'Among many other accomplishments, he managed 16 of the City's 21 Tax Increment Financing Districts, was responsible for developing the City's $2 billion budget and managed the GO bond and trust debt totaling $2.2 billion,' Freeman said in a news release.
Bryant recalled a mentor telling him, 'We're in the city building business, where our goal is to get up every day and provide quality services and build the city.' He said looking back through the last 30 years, the city has seen a good trajectory and it's something to keep pushing forward.
Oklahoma City is the 20th largest city in the U.S. Bryant said from a financial standpoint, the city is seeing some slowdown in its economy right now, but with a Triple A bond rating since 2009 and a perfect credit score, the city gets some of the lowest bond rates available. That means they can widen streets, build more parks and build up the city, he said.
When asked where he sees Oklahoma City in 10 years, Bryant said it's a city that will continue to grow in a smart way and invest in itself.
'Ten years from now, we'll have a brand-new arena for our basketball team, and then where we can bring good quality of life events to that facility as well,' he said. 'We're embarking on a new general obligation bond program and with that will be a lot of investment.'
Bryant is retaining his position as the city's chief financial officer, a position he's held since 2019. He is a recipient Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership's prestigious Stanley Draper Award for his contributions to downtown.
He replaces Laura Johnson, who retired after 45 years with the city. Bryant will oversee five departments including: Finance, Public Works, Utilities, MAPS and the Office of Equity.
Bryant and his wife, Lori, have two adult children, Courtney and Cooper.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma City's chief financial officer named assistant city manager
