Menlo Park Hires New City Manager

Alex McIntyre is Menlo Park’s new city manager, starting March 5, 2012.  

Mayor Kirsten Keith made the announcement Wednesday afternoon.

“Mr. McIntyre is a proven leader who brings with him excellent qualifications for this position,” Keith said.

“His creativity and sound fiscal management will serve us well in the challenging times before us. We are confident he will continue the tradition of excellence we have built in Menlo Park and will be a tremendous addition to the City’s executive management team.”

The city manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city, as a CEO is for a business.  City Council will essentially be his board of directors, with the mayor as the chair of the board.  

More than 50 people applied for the position, according to city staff. McIntyre will be relocating from Lake Oswego, Oregon this spring. He had been city manager there since 2008, according to Lake Oswego Town Councilor Sally Moncrieff.

“It’s sad for us and a huge loss for the city, but Lake Oswego is better for having him as a city manager,” Moncrieff said.

McIntyre, a University of California at Irvine graduate, hasn’t strayed too far from where he began his career.  He was previously chief assistant county administrator for Marin County from 2006-2008. Prior to that he was town manager in Portola Valley from 1997-2000.

McIntyre said he’s excited to join the Menlo Park team and looks forward to tackling “complex organizational and community issues.”

“I am up for the work ahead,” he said, “Working thoughtfully, hand-in-hand with the City Council, staff and the community, the city of Menlo Park can bring about the positive results and quality that the community is looking for. I can help in that effort and I am proud to be part of the team.”

The city will pay him $199,000 per year and put $9,500 into a 401(k), a deferred compensation plan. He will have a car allowance of $320 per month, as well as health, retirement and life term insurance.    

The city, as it did with outgoing manager Glen Rojas, will give him a loan, so he can purchase a home in Menlo Park.  He has the option of borrow up to $1,350,000 with 3.5% interest.