MELROSE — The City Council unanimously confirmed the mayoral appointments of John White of Melrose as Chief of the Melrose Fire Department and Dr. Gayle- Jean Angelo of Melrose as the city’s Director of Veterans’ Services. The City Council vote on Monday, October 7, 2024, affirmed Mayor Jen Grigoraitis’s appointments of the two veteran public servants earlier in the year.
“Chief White has served the Melrose community for decades, and I am confident that he is ready to lead the Melrose Fire Department as its next chief,” said Grigoraitis. “This search and selection process was an ideal opportunity for the city to review and revise the role’s job description and ensure that the department can continue to improve in its mission of providing critical emergency services to the people of Melrose.”
Melrose native and resident John White has worked as a Melrose firefighter for nearly 40 years, with more than half of his career serving as a fire captain. In addition to extensive professional certifications including as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Fire Investigator, and Fire Prevention Officer, White has served as Acting Chief of the Melrose Fire Department since April 2024. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston College.
“I am very pleased and proud to be chosen to serve the Melrose community and all the personnel of the Melrose Fire Department at this level,” said White. “I am a hometown guy, and I will work every day to keep Melrose safe and flourishing.”
White’s selection followed a statewide search process led by public safety consulting firm Parow Consulting & Associates. The recruitment process included structured interviews, a written essay questionnaire, and a comprehensive assessment center professional evaluation. As part of the search, fire department personnel and members of the community were surveyed to inform city officials about the most important attributes for the next fire chief and the needs and priorities of the department. The mayor selected White in August following one-on-one interviews with finalists for the position. As Chief of the Melrose Fire Department, White will lead the 56-member fire department as it provides firefighting and fire prevention services in addition to the City’s ambulance service.
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“In collaboration with our partners in Saugus and Wakefield, I am pleased to appoint Dr. Angelo as the Director of Veterans’ Services. Her extensive and varied professional experience makes her the ideal choice to support Melrose veterans,” said Mayor Grigoraitis. “Providing excellent veterans’ services is one of the most important ways in which we thank our military veterans and mark the great sacrifices made by those in our armed forces.”
Dr. Gayle-Jean Angelo, also a Melrose resident, is a veterans’ advocate, educator and scientist with wide-ranging experience in the public and private sectors. She is an honorably discharged staff sergeant and worked as a research scientist for the United States Air Force and as a medical laboratory specialist for the Air National Guard. Angelo holds a doctorate in Chemical Physics from Columbia University in addition to degrees and certificates from Northeastern University, San Diego State University, and the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
“I am honored that the City of Melrose had the confidence in me to appoint me as the new Director of Veterans’ Services, and I will give my best effort to serve those who deserve and earned the benefits that our office provides,” said Dr. Angelo.
Angelo will lead the Melrose-Wakefield-Saugus Veterans’ Services District, which includes the Melrose Veterans’ Services Department. As Director, she oversees the Veterans’ Services Officers for each member community, who work to advocate on behalf of veterans in their communities and provide them with guidance and assistance on veterans’ benefits, support services, and emergency financial assistance.
