Vickie L. Gainer

Vickie Gainer was appointed City Manager of the City of Lynn Haven by the City Commission on November 15th, 2019, after having served as Acting City Manager for nine months. Gainer is the first woman and African American to hold this position. As the head of the city, Gainer is responsible for more than 22,000 residents, 200 employees, and several community advisory boards.  Gainer’s role comprises the oversight of all operations of the entire city, including the Police and Fire departments, which comes with managing a $60 million budget. Gainer attributes her diverse background, including more than 40 years in communications, marketing, public relations, and strategic planning as key to her attaining her city manager position.  

Gainer was hired by the City of Lynn Haven in 2017 where her previous positions included Grants and Contract Manager, Deputy City Clerk, and Interim Human Resources Director.  She was promoted in 2018 to the position of Director of Administrative Support Services, overseeing six departments.  Prior to joining the city in 2017, Gainer embarked on her career in the non-profit world, spanning nearly ten years coordinating marketing and public relations events.  Her career highlights include Business Development and Marketing Director for Gatehouse Media covering six newspapers, Communications Director at Florida State University PC, and Assistant Marketing Director in the corporate banking industry.  

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Gainer earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Montevallo in 1981 in a remarkable three years and went on to receive her Master of Science Degree in Corporate and Public Communications from Florida State University in 2004.

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Gainer has a strong community and public relations background and has served on over 20 boards in her career. She is currently a board member on several boards, including the Bay County Boys and Girls Club, a founding board member of IMPACT100 Gulf Coast, Haney Technical School Advisory Committee, and the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Board of Visitors, to name a few. Gainer has been recognized numerous times throughout her career, including being named Florida State University Notable ‘Nole, Woman of Distinction Community Service Award by the Big Bend Girl Scout Council, recognized by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Upsilon Alpha Alpha Chapter 2024 Community Service Award and the women’s organization, The Pour of Bay County, “Women Who Soar Award.” 

Gainer is a life member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., of Xi Omicron Omega Chapter. She is married to retired educator Harry Gainer, Jr. and has lived in Bay County for 42 years and has two children, Kara and Trey, and four wonderful grandchildren.   She and her husband Harry serve as the Sunday school teachers for the adult class at St. John Missionary Baptist Church.