The City of Broken Arrow has had some difficulties keeping its chief executive position filled in recent years, and the new man on the job says he wants to restore the confidence of the city's residents.

Thom Moton comes to the job with some 19 years' service in the public sector, 16 of them serving as an assistant city manager in Corsicana, Texas, University City Missouri, and most recently Greenville, North Carolina.

"I'd say more than a career, it's almost like some people find out what their callings are and this is sort of mine, this is how I can contribute to society," he told KRMG.

His predecessor, David Wooden, was fired in April in the wake of the Red Clay Casino controversy, in which the Kialegee Tribal Township tried to claim tribal sovereignty over an Okmulgee allotment in order to build a gambling enterprise.

Public outrage and decisive action by leaders locally and statewide shut down the casino, but Wooden was forced out before it was over.

The city council voted to fire Wooden's predecessor, Jim Twombly, in 2009, citing a desire to move in a different direction.

Twombly now has the same job for the City of Tulsa.

After receiving several dozen applications, Broken Arrow narrowed the field to three candidates, then settled on Moton in September.

Moton tells KRMG one of his priorities is to reestablish the confidence of Broken Arrow's citizens.

"That's sort of my focus coming in," he said. "Restore confidence that we can be effective, at the same time be transparent and provide opportunities for the public to be involved in the decision-making process."

Moton reportedly has a two-year deal with the city at an annual salary of $153,500.