Since 1930, Shawnee has operated under a managerial form of government. The commission appoints a City Manager, who has charge of all the departments of the City. The Board of Commissioners pass all ordinances and must confirm all department head appointments made by the City Manager. It is purely representative in form; the power is derived directly from the people. The Mayor and City Commissioners serve without compensation in accordance with the City's Charter. Term of office is four years or until a successor is elected and qualified.
Mayor Ed Bolt
Term: 2020 - 2024
Ed Bolt graduated from Mustang High School and attended the University of Oklahoma as a Political Science Major. He has been a Shawnee resident since 2002. He worked 29 years for AT&T where his final assignment was as a Regional Sales Manager for State Government and Higher Education. Since retirement in 2008, Mr. Bolt started his own photography business in Shawnee and opened a photo studio and art gallery on East Main St. He bought a condemned building and completely rebuilt it in an effort to help revitalize our downtown area. Ed is very active in a number of local civic organizations. He serves as Community Coordinator for Safe Events for Families, Vice Chair for Historic Shawnee Alliance, and Secretary for Visit Shawnee Inc.
Ed and his wife, Phyllis, attend St. Benedict Catholic Church and Wesley United Methodist Church.
City Commissioner Daniel Matthews
Term: 2018 - 2022
Ward 1
Daniel Matthews is a life-long Shawnee resident and currently serves as the Executive Director of Community Market of Pottawatomie County. For two decades, Daniel has worked in the non-profit sector, last serving as the VP of Finance and Operations at Family of Faith Christian University. He has also served as an Executive Pastor and led local ministry operations, as well as, coordinating international work of the organization in 16 countries.
His grandfather recounted his local work on food insecurity and challenged Daniel to do the same. Interest turned to passion, as Daniel began building a team of community stakeholders to end hunger in his community. This passion has led to influence and opportunity on the state and national level and shaped his personal mission statement: “Until there are no hungry homes.” Outside of work, Daniel loves all things sports and travel. He is an OSSAA Basketball official and has a passion for the game.
Daniel is a graduate of Family of Faith Christian University with a bachelor’s degree in Church Ministry and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public and Non-Profit Administration. A member of the United Way of Pottawatomie County board and the Heartland Christian Athletic Association, he and his wife Yasha have 4 children.
City Commissioner Bob Weaver
Term: 2020 - 2024
Ward 2
Commissioner Bob Weaver is a life-long Shawnee resident, graduated from Shawnee High School, and attended St. Gregory’s College. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Southern Nazarene University. An Eagle Scout, Bob has served Shawnee as a community leader all his adult life. Bob was a staff member of U.S. Senators Dewey Bartlett and Henry Bellmon and served as vice-chairman of the Pottawatomie County Election Board. He served as State Representative in the Oklahoma Legislature for 12 years and has previously served as a member of the Shawnee City Commission.
A community leader for decades, Bob continues his service in Shawnee as Immediate Past-Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Chairman of the Shawnee Parks and Recreation Committee, and Chairman of the Shawnee Lake Leasehold Alliance. Bob retired as Manager of Marketing and Economic Development and Commerce, President of Shawnee Lion’s Club, President of Shawnee Homeowners Association, President of Shawnee YMCA, Chairman of Pottawatomie County Red Cross, Chairman of Boy Scouts Friends of Scouting campaign, and Chairman of the Oklahoma State Homebuilders Associates Council.
Bob has served as a member of the Oklahoma State Banking Board, has been active in Shawnee Little Theatre, served on St. Gregory’s Board of Trustees, Big Brothers/Big Sisters board, Oklahoma State Homebuilders Board, Pierre Taron Leadership Award recipient, American Heart Association Board, Shawnee Citizen of the Year, St. Gregory’s Distinguished Alumni, Gordon Cooper Technology Foundation, Shawnee Airport Advisory Board, Shawnee Beautification Committee, and the Shawnee Economic Development Foundation Board. Bob and his wife Kelli are active volunteers at Life.Church in Shawnee.
City Commissioner Travis Flood
Term: 2020 - 2024
Ward 3
City Commisioner Darren Rutherford
Term: 2020 - 2024
Ward 4
City Commissioner Mark Sehorn
Term: 2018 - 2022
Ward 5
City Commissioner Ben Salter
Term: 2018 - 2022
Ward 6
Commissioner Ben Salter moved to Shawnee in 1952. His parents had purchased the Cresent Drug Store located in the Elks building at 9th & Broadway. Ben grew up being a “Soda Jerk”. Ben enjoyed serving two terms on the Shawnee Planning Commission. He was chairman for one year. Salter has lived in Shawnee for 68 years and in Ward 6 for 48 years. He is married to Alice Lowe Salter and they have two grown children, Sara and Jon. He enjoys the activities of his four granddaughters, ages 7 to 16.
He was employed at Shawnee Medical Center Hospital as Director of Respiratory Therapy. He later became the first Marketing and Public Relations Director, also serving as volunteer leader. In 1987 he went to work for Express Employment Professionals as an employee recruiter. Though now retired, Ben has been active in Shawnee, serving as drive chairman then president of Shawnee United Way, and chairperson of membership service for the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce. Salter served on several boards including Red Cross, Camp Fire Boys and Girls. He led a hospital Explorer Scout group and was also former Shawnee Rotarian. An Army veteran, he served in Vietnam. He is a member of Central Church of Christ.