An attorney, executive, and regulatory compliance authority who has a comprehensive leadership portfolio in business operations. extensive knowledge and experience with the intricacies and nuances of local government. With a keen focus on providing exceptional customer service, Melanie is a change agent with a proven record of implementing and improving service delivery with operational processes to drive growth and efficiency while ensuring compliance. The trail of Melanie’s achievements spans 20-plus years, winds through three of the nation’s largest metropolitan areas, and encompasses procurements, negotiations, grants, HR, employment law, contract administration/management, workforce and economic development, community development, public safety, public works, strategic planning, fiscal operations, and more.
The first in her family to attend college, Melanie has consistently surpassed personal goals and stood out among professional peers: earning applause as a regulatory compliance specialist; identifying then implementing process efficiencies; authoring hundreds of policies and legal documents, many of which remain the official legal instruments guiding high-level agencies; and pushing cities and city services towards and past performance goals. The sum of Melanie’s work has created a positive and lasting impact on an untold number of processes and in the lives of countless people.
Melanie’s work directly impacted some 100,000 residents and employers in the new City of South Fulton. With a budget in excess of $100 million, Melanie served as the first Assistant City Manager and directed operations and led a broad range of municipal services related to zoning, land use, public safety, public works, communications, code enforcement, parks and recreation, community development and economic development, with a focus on increasing transparency and improving service delivery. She was instrumental in launching initiatives to engage and respond to residents in a transparent manner. E.g., strategic plan, SeeClickFix, 24/7 Customer Response Center, SF 101, voters’ education campaign.
Prior to transitioning to the City of South Fulton, Melanie served as the Deputy Director of Workforce Development for the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), where she managed some $60 million in local, federal and specific-purpose funds administered by the District of Columbia and the federal government. Among her responsibilities: leading agency programs and initiatives which provide critical resources to jobseekers and employers, with a focus on fostering economic prosperity throughout the District. Melanie managed the launch of the DC Infrastructure Academy and spearheaded the District’s first ever clean federal audit, resulting in removal of the long-standing U.S. DOL “high risk” designation.
Melanie was also an accomplished leader at the City of Memphis, Tennessee. As Deputy Director of Operations, Melanie led back-office operations, administered a federally-funded budget of some $15 million per year, enhanced business operations, pushed performance past expected levels, improved customer service experience for clients, and developed a number of policies and standard operating procedures to standardize and streamline operations, while driving compliance with federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations.
Melanie also worked as the Assistant Attorney for the City of Memphis, primarily advising the Purchasing Department. She authored the Purchasing Policies and Procedure Manual, a document that officially laid out and standardized Memphis’ purchasing and contracting practices for all involved stakeholders. Melanie reviewed or drafted scores of resolutions, ordinances, agreements and other legal documents to guide elected officials, teams and staff. She also advised elected officials, executives, divisions, boards, commissions and others across the city on everything from public works or real estate issues to important matters involving trash collection, water mains or general services.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Jurisprudence
University of Mississippi
School of Law
Bachelor of Arts English
with Teacher Certification
Tennessee State University
Strategies for Leading
Successful Change Initiatives
Harvard University Extension School
CERTIFICATIONS
Admitted to practice law
in Tennessee
EXPERIENCE
Assistant City Manager
City of South Fulton
Deputy Director of
Workforce Development
District of Columbia
Deputy Director of Operations
City of Memphis
Assistant City Attorney/Purchasing
& Contracts Attorney
City of Memphis
Assistant City Prosecutor
City of Memphis
Contracts Manager
City of Memphis
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