City Council Selects Wilfredo Melendez, PE as new City Manager
The New Rochelle City Council announced Wednesday night their unanimous selection of Wilfredo Melendez, PE to be the next City Manager. The appointment caps a months-long executive recruitment effort that initially produced a field of nearly forty candidates from a dozen states.
“We are delighted to welcome Wilfredo Melendez as our next City Manager,” said Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert. “During the past six months, while serving in the dual role of Acting City Manager and Public Works Commissioner, Wilfredo brought a unique blend of professional expertise, integrity, and humility—qualities that make him the ideal leader for this pivotal chapter in New Rochelle. His dedication to addressing some of our City’s most urgent infrastructure needs, coupled with his deep commitment to collaboration, has united our Council and exceptional staff around a shared vision. With Wifredo at the helm, we are excited to see New Rochelle continue to grow and evolve, knowing that his leadership will drive us forward and put our community first.”
City Manager Melendez has served as Acting City Manager since April of this year, overseeing the City’s departments and presenting the draft 2025 budget to the City Council earlier this month. He additionally has served as Commissioner of Public Works since February 2023, directing the diverse bureaus that maintain the City’s physical facilities and infrastructure, including Administration, central garage, Engineering, Property and grounds, Sanitation and recycling, Sewers and drains, Streets and highways, and Traffic Services.
“I am truly honored to accept the role of City Manager for the City of New Rochelle. The dedication of our Mayor, City Council, skilled professional staff, and vibrant community has built an incredible foundation, and I am privileged to help shape our next chapter together. I’ve seen the strength, resilience, and potential of this City firsthand, and I’m committed to using my experience and passion for New Rochelle to build on our successes, tackle new challenges, and guide us toward an exciting future,” said Wilfredo Melendez, City Manager of New Rochelle.
Before joining the City of New Rochelle, Mr. Melendez spent sixteen years as Deputy Director of the Bureau of Water Supply-Water Treatment Operations South at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, where he oversaw critical water treatment facilities that supplied the entirety of New York City’s drinking water. Mr. Melendez also has prior experience in the private sector, working at a construction firm as a project manager, superintendent, and engineer on a variety of multi-million dollar projects for the New York City Department of Design and Construction, NYNJ-Port Authority, and NYC Department of Sanitation. He began his career in 1989 at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection as a Resident Engineer, managing numerous water main, sewer, and roadway construction projects throughout the five boroughs of New York. Mr. Melendez received his Bachelor in Civil Engineering from Manhattan College.
Reporting directly to the City Council, by City Charter, New Rochelle’s City Manager serves as the Chief Executive Officer for the City and assumes full responsibility for all activities and operations of the City Government based on policies and priorities established by the City Charter, Mayor, and City Council. The City was supported through the recruitment process by Strategic Government Resources, a full-service local government consulting firm.
Mr. Melendez will take the position on December 1.
