Meet Candidate #4 for Palm Bay City Manager: Ricardo J. Mendez Brings Over 30 Years of Government, Finance, and Infrastructure Leadership

Palm Bay, FL – With over 30 years of experience in both public and private sector leadership, Ricardo J. Mendez is one of eight finalists in Palm Bay’s search for a new City Manager. A credentialed ICMA professional, registered civil engineer, and Certified Government Financial Manager, Mendez has built a career around reorganizing municipal operations, leading financial recoveries, and managing complex infrastructure programs valued in the billions.

Most recently, Mendez served as Assistant City Administrator for West Palm Beach, where he oversaw departments including utilities, engineering, public works, planning, building, zoning, and code enforcement. During his tenure, he helped the city navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while delivering $45 million in infrastructure improvements, balancing a $194 million general fund budget, and leading the city to its highest-ever collection in business tax revenue. He also played a key role in affordable housing initiatives, neighborhood revitalization, and public safety improvements.

Prior to that, Mendez served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the City of Harrisburg, PA, where he implemented one of the most successful municipal financial recovery plans in the country. His leadership helped the city emerge from state receivership in under three years and earned the GFOA Budget Award for excellence in financial reporting in 2013. During that time, he managed over 130 recovery initiatives across 20 departments, completed multiple years of delayed financial audits, and avoided municipal bankruptcy.

Mendez has also held senior leadership roles in Miami Beach, Sweetwater, and Miami-Dade County, as well as with the Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Palm Beach County School District, managing infrastructure, budgeting, and compliance across multi-jurisdictional operations. His background includes overseeing capital programs as large as $2 billion, directing water and sewer plant operations, and negotiating complex agreements with state and federal agencies including the EPA and DOJ.

He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Miami and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Florida International University. He is an ICMA-Credentialed Manager, a Certified Government Financial Manager, and a Registered Professional Engineer.

In his cover letter to Palm Bay officials, Mendez wrote:

“I became a professional City Manager by accomplishing a complete career track in the county and municipal government… I bring hands-on expertise in community affairs, planning, operational analysis, financial recovery, and infrastructure delivery.”

Mendez, who was one of the finalists supported by Deputy Mayor Jaffee and Councilman Johnson, currently resides in Miami and will participate in public interviews at Palm Bay City Hall on March 29. The City Council is expected to make a final selection and extend a formal offer by April 17.

Palm Bay Live will continue publishing candidate profiles to help residents learn more about the finalists ahead of the interviews.