Melinda James Lopez, Ph.D.

Bio

Melinda is currently a Practitioner-in-Residence in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) Program at Regent University. She is also an Affiliated Researcher with the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA), where she produces research and reports related to state and local government, and other studies as needed.

Previously, she was employed by the City of Hoover, Alabama, for over 23 years, beginning as an intern and working her way up to be the Chief Financial & Information Officer (CFIO).  During her time at Hoover, she worked in various departments, including the Development Office, the Finance Department, and the Information & Reporting Department, before serving in her final role as CFIO.  Within these departments, she managed the budget process, prepared the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR), and oversaw a variety of additional substantive areas including technology, GIS (geographical information systems), accounting, payroll, and purchasing.  She has also taught undergraduate and graduate classes as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Arkansas State University, and Auburn University.

Melinda graduated from Auburn University with a PhD in Public Administration focusing on Human Resources and Public Finance. She also holds an MPA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). In addition, she received two bachelor’s degrees from Auburn University, including one in Political Science and one in Criminal Justice. Furthermore, she has taken ten additional accounting courses and four management information systems (MIS) classes at UAB to broaden her education. She has also undertaken certificates in Blockchain Technology and Business Analytics. She recently completed a class on The Art & Science of Data Visualization at UAB that focuses on using Tableau software for data visualization.

For 15 years she served on the board of the APCO Employees Credit Union, a $3+ billion financial banking institution.  She is also a member of several professional organizations that focus on city management, finance, and public administration in general.  She has also served multiple terms on the MPA Advisory Committee at Auburn University.  Finally, and most rewarding, Melinda volunteered for 10 years as a Sunday morning small group leader and currently leads Bible studies at her local church, Hunter Street Baptist Church.