Allen Bogard Announces Retirement As Sugar Land City Manager

SUGAR LAND, TX — The search is underway to find the next city manager to lead Sugar Land into the next decade. City Manager Allen Bogard, who has 25 years with the City of Sugar Land, and 19 as its city manager, announced his retirement to the Sugar Land City Council on June 18.

"I'd like to thank our current and former members of City Council for the opportunity to work in a special place like Sugar Land," Bogard said.

In October 2001, Bogard replaced David Neeley as the city manager and vowed to leave the city in as good or better condition than he'd received it from Neeley.

"We have achieved a lot during the last two decades, but the credit should go to our effective, ethical elected leaders and our champion employees," Bogard said. "I'm confident that the talent within our family of dedicated employees will continue to exceed the high expectations we set for ourselves."

During the last two decades, Sugar Land has become known as a city dedicated to doing things differently, and has more than doubled in population under Bogard's leadership.

During his tenure, the City has experienced the development of Sugar Land Town Square, First Colony Mall, Constellation Field, the Smart Financial Centre at Sugar Land, the University of Houston at Sugar Land and the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land.

In addition, Bogard has provided leadership for numerous annexations, including First Colony, Avalon, RiverPark, Greatwood and New Territory.

"Allen has done an outstanding job in building an exceptional team, and we wish him well in his future endeavors," said Mayor Joe R. Zimmerman. "Our city is safer than ever before, our economy is strong, and we continue to offer the high level of services our citizens expect while maintaining one of the state's lowest tax rates."

Zimmerman added that while it will be impossible to replace Bogard's unwavering leadership, the city has worked hard to focus on developing future leaders within our organization.

"A number of high-profile promotions during the recent past are proof that Allen's efforts have left us in good hands," Zimmerman said.

Bogard will officially end his tenure as City Manager on Jan. 31, 2020.

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