Melvin Gaines

Melvin E. Gaines is an experienced city government professional currently serving as the City Manager for the City of East Palo Alto since January 2023. Prior to this role, Gaines held the position of Assistant Town Manager at the Town of Portola Valley and worked as Principal Management Analyst in the City Manager's Office at the City of Mountain View, where significant projects included the strategic plan and Race, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan. Gaines has extensive experience in management analysis, program development, and community engagement through various roles, including as a Management Analyst and Grants/Special Projects Manager at the City of East Palo Alto. Additional experience includes business consulting at the Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, research roles at the Center for Automotive Research and New Orleans City Council, and leadership positions at Santa Clara University. Gaines holds multiple degrees from the University of Michigan and Santa Clara University, focusing on public policy, urban planning, political science, and environmental studies.