There were some new boots in the Lions’ den.

A cowboy hat too. Although moving here from out of state, new City Manager Jim Thomas’ apparel choices fit in well with members of the Kingfi sher Lions Club.

Thomas addressed the local civic group last Thursday, his first public appearance since being hired by the Kingfisher City Commission earlier this month.

Therefore, Thomas was present for something more important than his choice in footwear and headwear.

“I look forward to working in Kingfisher,” Thomas said. “There are good people here and a good quality of life.”

He accredits the quality of life to plenty of things, but Thomas said he is passionate about the community spirit present and opportunity for economic development.

Thomas, though less than a week into his new position, said he could already feel the community pride in Kingfisher.

He said he’s intent to continue fostering that spirit and spoke of how he did so at his previous position in Claremore as its city manager for eight years.

While with members of the Tulsa Regional Chamber at a conference in Fort Worth, Texas, Thomas was inspired when city offi cials there explained the city’s tradition of bringing a freshly-cut tree from Michigan to be displayed for Christmas.

Thomas had done the same when he held positions in Maine and Rhode Island, but had believed, until shown in Texas, that the climate in Oklahoma would be an unsuitable environment for a live Christmas tree from the northern part of the country.

Inspired, Thomas sought to do the same for his city.

The tree he got to Claremore from Michigan stood tall and the tradition still stands too.

He believes it’s due to the community spirit it prompts against the backdrop of Christmas cheer.

“Christmas spirit is big,” Thomas explained, “and I truly believe that whatever we can do as a community to bring people together, we should.”

The holidays are not the only option to unite and grow a community, he said.

Thomas views economic growth as an important factor in bettering community life.

“I’m a firm believer in economic development,” Thomas said. “I think it’s the engine that makes the cities happen.”

For a community to have a profitable environment though, he said there must be support from local banks. They are the enablers to have people “invest in the community, build homes, bring industries and help the economics of Kingfisher grow,” Thomas said.

This aspect is not concerning to Thomas as he said Kingfisher has “four solid banks,” ones that he is excited to build partnerships with.

“You need to have a good bank that’s willing to fund these projects and support these entrepreneurs,” Thomas said, “but you also have that city business partnership and I am big into that.

“I truly believe that, hand in hand, nothing is impossible.”

This can-do attitude was also evident in Claremore as he used “think outside the box” strategies to draw in businesses.

Thomas was undeterred when in communications with Chick-fil-A, the company agreed to build in Claremore, but only on one specific plot of land, which was owned by ODOT.

After speaking with ODOT officials, Thomas helped initiate a land swap with the city and Chick-fil-A soon broke ground.

He worked with AXH Air Handlers through a city purchase of an old military building that had set abandoned and on the market for seven to eight years due to conditions that Thomas described as needing “some tender loving care.”

The space was still adequate for a business, though, and Thomas saw its potential. After purchasing the abandoned space, the city quickly resold it to AXH at a reduced cost.

This move allowed AXH to double staff and provide over 500 jobs to the community of Claremore.

It’s that kind of thinking Thomas said he’s bringing to Kingfisher, along with other attributes he’s garnered in 30-plus years of municipal experience.

His vision for Kingfisher is inspired by many of his past projects and he said he’s excited to implement them.

“My vision is to help the people,” Thomas shared.

He wants to do this by having a plan that will “stand the test of time, one that will be passed onto your children and grandchildren.”

He has faith this vision is possible, again, due to his time at Claremore.

Thomas helped develop a long-term plan, called Claremore Dreams 2025, before he left in 2020.

“I’ve been gone for three years and that plan is still solid,” he said.

It was the second such long-term plan Thomas helped initiate during his time in Claremore.

Thomas’ ideas may have stood the test of time due to his long history with public municipal management.

As a young 25-year-old, he was elected onto the city council in Roy, Utah.

Not without hard work, though.

Thomas said it took wearing out two pairs of shoes and “knocking on 5,000 doors” to earn the public’s approval to vote for him.

Thus he beat out a council member of 12 years and became the youngest councilman elected in that city’s history.

He said he was inspired to run to deter actions he felt would have a negative effect on the community.

“The people of this city deserve better,” he told his wife before running. “That’s why I ran for city council.”

Thomas’ drive or love has not wavered for public management and he still credits the people as his source of enjoyment for the profession.

Especially the ones in Oklahoma.

“I love the people of Oklahoma,” Thomas said. “That’s why I came back.”

He “came back” to Oklahoma from Illinois where he was residing before being hired here.

However, at one time, a sea separated Thomas from the people of Oklahoma…. and America.

For six years, Thomas was a resident of Germany because his father was in the U.S. Air Force. He was able to broaden his world perspective and deepen his appreciation for America.

Thomas graduated from high school in Germany and on his flight to college in America, he said he realized, “As Americans we sometimes take for granted the freedoms and liberties we do have.”

Thomas was introduced to the club by Jarod Hendrix, Lions Club vice president.