Gary M. Mekjian

City Manager with a successful history at City of Farmington Hills, specializing in budget management and leadership development. Achievements include spearheading initiatives that generated substantial savings and improved community services. Proficient in government relations and risk management, with a strong capability to lead diverse teams and engage stakeholders effectively. Aiming to further enhance community impact through strategic initiatives and collaborative governance.

• Assembly of Rouge Communities, Past Chair
• ASCE
• AWWA
• APWA
• MML Transportation Committee
• Public Administration Advisory Board for the Master of Public Administration, Central Michigan University
• Registered Professional Engineer, State of Michigan

• CITY MANAGER, FARMINGTON HILLS, 01/01/20 - Present, Chief Administrative Officer responsible for all city operations for full service community with a very diverse population over 84,000 residents., Assist City Council with the development and implementation of public policy for the City., Work with our state and federal elected officials in a variety of capacities including providing input on proposed legislation and funding opportunities., Develop and recommend the City’s annual budget to City Council.
• ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, FARMINGTON HILLS, 01/01/16 - 12/31/20, Assisted the City Manager as operations manager for all city operations with 450 full-time employees, 6 union bargaining units and general fund budget of approximately $58 million., Drove an effort to evaluate the City’s Defined Contribution Pension, changing the plan offerings, resulting in a better investment lineup while saving the participants about $250,000 annually., Lead successful 2018 local road millage campaign generating $9.2 million annually for local road reconstruction., Presented and explained dozens of legislative issues, policies and programs to elected and appointed boards and commissions, state legislative committees and community groups., Deployed AVL on public works equipment enabling real-time tracking and telematics of equipment during all operations., Track federal/state legislation and work with lobbyists to represent the best interests of Cities., Manage relationships with federal and state officials, applying, securing and administering of grants and permits.
• DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICES, FARMINGTON HILLS, 01/01/10 - 12/31/16, Department of 50 employees including public works, engineering, construction, water and sewer utilities, facilities maintenance, and fleet management., Lead a collaborative effort among key departmental staff to achieve national accreditation from the American Public Works Association., A very motivated public works professional with over 19 years of diversified and comprehensive experience., Extensive experience working with and presenting projects to public boards and commissions for community approval., Strives to develop positive relations with community citizens and deliver prompt, effective compliant resolution.

• Registered Professional Engineering, State of Michigan

Assembly of Rouge Communities, Past Chair

ASCE, AWWA, APWA, MML Transportation Committee, and Public Administration Advisory Board for the Master of Public Administration, Central Michigan University