Nowata Welcomes Marie Gorley as New City Manager

NOWATA, OKLAHOMA

The City of Nowata is pleased to announce the appointment of Marie Gorley as its new City Manager, ushering in an exciting new chapter for the community.

A proud Nowata native, Gorley brings both extensive professional experience and a lifelong commitment to the community she now has the opportunity to serve. She grew up in Nowata, graduated from Nowata High School in 2006, and earned her bachelor's degree in Accounting from Rogers State University.

Gorley began her career as the Bursar at Rogers State University before advancing into corporate finance. Most recently, she spent six years with Phillips 66 as a Senior Accounting Analyst, where she managed an offshore accounting team based in India and oversaw complex financial operations for a global organization.

Now, Gorley is bringing that expertise home.

"It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to serve the community that shaped who I am," said Gorley. "Nowata has always been home, and I am excited to bring the professional experience I've gained throughout my career back to the city while remaining true to the values that make our community so special. I believe we have tremendous potential, and I look forward to working alongside our employees, elected officials, local businesses, and residents as we continue building a stronger future for Nowata."

City Councilor Josie Klahr expressed her confidence in Gorley's leadership and the positive direction she will bring to the city.

"I am excited and confident to see Marie serve as our next City Manager," said Josie Klahr, City Councilor for Ward 3. "As someone who grew up in our community, she understands the unique opportunities and challenges we face. Marie brings fresh ideas, proven leadership, and a genuine commitment to serving the people of Nowata. I am confident her dedication and vision will have a lasting, positive impact on our city."

Mayor Garry Gibson also praised the immediate impact Gorley has already made since joining the City.

"Since joining the City in June, Marie has already made a significant impact on our organization," said Mayor Garry Gibson. "She quickly identified opportunities to strengthen our internal operations and has implemented meaningful improvements that position our departments for long-term growth. One of her greatest accomplishments has been improving communication across the organization, creating a more collaborative and effective working environment. We are already seeing a positive response from our employees and the community. Her focus on modernizing processes, building a strong team culture, and improving efficiency has strengthened our ability to serve the citizens of Nowata. We are grateful to have her as part of our team and look forward to the positive growth and progress our community will experience under her leadership."

The City Council is confident that Gorley's combination of financial expertise, leadership experience, and deep roots in the community will help guide Nowata into its next chapter.

As City Manager, Gorley will oversee the city's day-to-day operations, work closely with the City Council to implement its vision, and focus on providing efficient, transparent, and responsive services to residents.

The City of Nowata proudly welcomes Marie Gorley into this leadership role and looks forward to the experience, integrity, and hometown dedication she will bring as the community continues to grow together.

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