Selection of New Assistant City Manager Announced

Yakima City Manager Bob Harrison announced today that Rosylen Oglesby has been selected to fill the position of assistant city manager.

“Rosylen brings to the City a wealth of experience in a wide range of local government disciplines,” said Harrison.  “She has followed a very deliberate career path that has provided her with opportunities to manage a variety of program areas,” said Harrison.  “That depth and breadth of knowledge will serve the City of Yakima well.”

“I’m excited about joining the City of Yakima team,” said Oglesby.  “I’m looking forward to utilizing what I’ve learned throughout my career to ensure the City continues moving in a positive direction.”

Oglesby has served in a variety of roles for the City of Portsmouth, Virginia since 2006.  She began her tenure with the City of Portsmouth as a management analyst (2006-2010).  She became the resource development and management coordinator in 2010 before being promoted to manager of management services in 2013.  That same year, Oglesby was named assistant to the city manager, a position she held for two years.  In 2015, Oglesby was again promoted, this time to the position of assistant city manager.  She served as assistant city manager until last year when she left the City of Portsmouth.

Oglesby earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Norfolk State University.  She also holds masters of arts degree in urban affairs from Norfolk State University and has completed work toward a PhD in public policy and administration at Virginia Commonwealth University.  Oglesby also holds a graduate certificate in local government management from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Oglesby is a member of the International City/County Management Association, the Virginia Local Government Management Association, Virginia Women in Local Government, the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, and the American Academy of Certified Public Managers.   

The assistant city manager position for the City of Yakima has been unfilled since 2019 as part of cost saving measures implemented by the City.

As assistant city manager, Oglesby will be responsible for working closely with the city manager on a variety of issues and will specifically oversee strategic projects related to economic development, human services, the Yakima Air Terminal-McAllister Field, and other City programs and services. 

Oglesby will join the City as assistant city manager on May 2nd.  Her starting salary will be about $156,000, plus benefits.