The City of Claremore announced today it has hired Claremore native Andrew Knife Chief as its Director of Planning and Development.
Knife Chief will begin in February, and will develop, update, and implement the Claremore Comprehensive plan and will work in coordination with the Claremore Industrial Economic Development Authority (CIEDA) to refine the economic strategic plan for the city.
“I am excited to have Andrew join our team,” said Jim Thomas, Claremore City Manager. “As a Claremore graduate, he brings unique knowledge, energy, and passion for the city.”
Knife Chief is well versed in management best practices and has created, led, and completed strategic initiatives resulting in commercial, governmental, and operational successes. After a short stint in the private sector, he began working for the Pawnee Nation, of which he is a member. He served as the Nation’s tribal historic preservation officer and was most recently executive director and chief operating officer of the tribe’s development corporation.
A graduate of Claremore High School, Knife Chief joined the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged before attending Oklahoma City University to complete his undergraduate degree in 2008. Knife Chief graduated with a juris doctorate in 2012 from Oklahoma City University School of Law. He is the son of Dr. Charles and Kimberly Knife Chief, both formerly of Claremore.
