Raised in a rural community as the second oldest of six children, Melissa is the daughter of an immigrant and a first-generation college graduate who pursued higher education as a pathway to broader opportunity. She thrives on challenge and embraces risk in the pursuit of ambitious goals.

She worked as a zoning technician in planning and land use for the County of San Diego while earning her bachelor’s from San Diego State University. After college, Melissa earned a paralegal certificate in business and environmental law at the University of San Diego. She worked in law before relocating to Las Vegas in 2005 to manage parks and recreation planning and capital improvements for the City of Las Vegas.

From 2005 to 2010, Melissa was instrumental in acquiring millions of dollars in federal funding to construct new parks and trails and renovate older parks. From 2010 to present, Melissa has dedicated her service to the United States Government. A certified Project Management Professional, Melissa is proud to serve America’s veterans by managing IT infrastructure for hospitals and clinics nationally for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Melissa has served on many State, local, and nonprofit boards and volunteer commissions — all with a goal of improving quality of life for Nevadans. In 2020, she founded the nonprofit Friends of Gem Theater to restore and reopen the 1937 movie theater in Pioche, Nevada.

When Melissa is not working or volunteering, she enjoys traveling, trail running, hiking, and the slow pace of life in a small town.