Chief Executive Office
Raul L. Mendez
Assistant Executive Officer
Raul began his public service career in 1996 with the City of San Jose, working in the City Manager’s Office before promoting to the Department of Housing. In 2001, he joined the Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office as a Senior Management Consultant, focusing on strengthening County relations in unincorporated areas and improving response to community needs. He later assumed responsibility for department budgets and operations.
In 2013, Raul was appointed City Manager of Hughson, where he worked closely with the City Council and staff to maintain fiscal stability, improve infrastructure, and strengthen partnerships with the county, cities, school and fire districts, and the business community. He returned to Stanislaus County in 2020 as an Assistant Executive Officer, supporting the Community and Economic Development Team and overseeing departments including Agricultural Commissioner, UC Cooperative Extension, Workforce Development, Library, Environmental Resources, Parks and Recreation, Planning and Community Development, and Public Works.
In 2022, Raul was appointed County Executive Officer for Merced County. In that role, he carried out the policy directives of the Board of Supervisors, represented the County at the local, state, and federal levels, managed daily operations, oversaw personnel and fiscal matters, and directed the development and administration of the County budget.
A lifelong resident of Stanislaus County, Raul was born in Patterson and raised in Riverbank. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from California State University, Stanislaus, and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan. He is the youngest of five brothers, all graduates of CSU Stanislaus who went on to earn advanced degrees and careers in public service. Raul credits their parents, Miguel and Aurora, for instilling a strong work ethic after immigrating from Mexico to Stanislaus County in the 1960s.
Raul is married to his college sweetheart, Amy, a teacher with Modesto City Schools. They have two children, Nicholas and Isabella, both graduates of Thomas Downey High School, who are now pursuing careers in the medical field and public sector, respectively. As a family, the Mendez’s enjoy an active lifestyle, spending time together running, hiking, biking, and playing tennis.
