Jesse Mays most recently served as Assistant City Manager for Culver City, California where he led economic development, cultural affairs, the city clerk’s office, and communications. He also served as a strategic advisor to the city manager and city council. Mays managed the city's public-private partnership to connect all Culver City homes and businesses to fiber internet, a project completed in two years at no cost to the city. He oversaw the creation of infrastructure including affordable housing, a new community center and long-term supportive housing. Mays guided the City’s entry into the regional Clean Power Alliance, which made 100% renewable energy the default choice for residents. He helped make Culver City a leader in transparency by improving and expanding digital communications and innovating public engagement processes. Mays helped the city council develop and implement policies in multiple areas including rental housing, homelessness, firearm sales, and cannabis.

Mays started his career in public service as a staffer to San Diego City Councilmember Sherri Lightner, who represented La Jolla and San Diego's other northern coastal neighborhoods. He gained valuable experience working with those communities to shape development and transportation projects as he rose to the position of Chief of Staff. Before entering public service, Mays worked in television as an agent’s assistant at United Talent Agency and as a creative executive assistant at Disney’s ABC Studios.