John Giles served as the 40th mayor of Mesa, Arizona, first elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2016 and 2020. During his tenure, Mesa experienced significant economic development, adding tens of thousands of new jobs, billions of dollars in capital investment, and employers like Apple, Amazon, Google and Meta. Under his leadership, Mesa adopted a nondiscrimination ordinance, implemented a Climate Action Plan, and established the Mesa College Promise, connecting qualified high school graduates and adult learners with free community college education.
Giles served as Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Immigration Task Force, Co-Chair of Mayors and CEOs for U.S. Housing Investment, and represents local government in his role on the national Electric Vehicle Working Group.
He earned degrees from Brigham Young University and Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law where he is an adjunct professor. He is also the creator and host of the It’s Always Cool in Mesa podcast, which shares the city’s most beloved history, people and stories. Mayor Giles and wife Dawn have been married for over 40 years and have five children and eight grandchildren.
John Giles Resume_2025 Download