Bogard—who worked for the city of Sugar Land for 25 years, including serving as the city manager from 2001-20—was awarded the Texas City Management Association Lifetime Achievement Award in June. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to local government for more than 20 years, according to city documents.
Bogard's more than 40 years of city government experience also includes work with the cities of Keller, Winnsboro, Plano and Dallas. Bogard retired Jan. 31, 2020.
Mayor Joe Zimmerman attributed Sugar Land's recent success to Bogard.
"Allen was ... the single-most knowledgable city manager on finance and budget that we have not just in the state of Texas but across the United States," Zimmerman said. "But even more than that, he was a colleague [and a mentor]."
Current City Manager Mike Goodrum, who considers Bogard a mentor, said Sugar Land's current department directors and executive staff are where they are because of Bogard.
"The thing about Allen Bogard is he never was out for awards; he was never about self-serving; he was never about creating that platform," Goodrum said. "He was about creating community; he was about developing people; and it's great to see these things follow."
During Bogard's tenure, Sugar Land's population more than doubled with the annexation of First Colony, Avalon, RiverPark, Greatwood and New Territory, the city said in an Aug. 5 press release.
Additionally, Bogard oversaw the development of Sugar Land Town Square, First Colony Mall, Constellation Field, the Smart Financial Centre, the University of Houston at Sugar Land and the Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land.
"A lot of the growth that we've had and even now in the city that we enjoy ... are due to your leadership both directly and indirectly," Zimmerman said to Bogard during the Aug. 3 council meeting.
