Melissa represents the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS) on the FWF board. As an FDACS marketing representative and client relations manager, she builds and maintains relationships with agricultural associations and industry groups, serves as the department’s coordinator and community liaison for agritourism issues, and develops multilevel marketing campaigns. Before taking her present position, she served as assistant to former state FDACS commissioner Charles Bronson after serving as his legislative assistant during his state Senate service. She also served as legislative assistant and executive secretary to former state Rep. Lee Constantine. She holds a bachelor’s degree in politics and history from Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C.