Her Story
About Melissa
I’m an Executive Assistant with over 30 years of experience supporting senior leadership and ensuring operations run smoothly. I began my career as a receptionist and advanced through dedication, adaptability, and strong attention to detail. After relocating from South Carolina to Nashville, TN in 2010, I’ve continued to grow in this field and currently support the Senior VP of Subsidiaries, the Director of Business Process, and other leaders at Ervin Cable Construction.
I’m highly organized, detail-oriented, and tech-savvy, with hands-on experience managing expense reports, company credit card activity, and complex travel arrangements, including flights and accommodations for both business and personal needs. I coordinate on-site and off-site events, oversee catering, plan team-building activities, and ensure the office maintains a positive, efficient environment.
In addition, I assist in the hiring processes by screening resumes, coordinating interviews, preparing offer letters, and supporting onboarding. I manage all event logistics, from venue selection to execution, and, whenever possible, visit locations in advance to ensure quality, while also confidently coordinating out-of-state events.
I take pride in keeping leaders organized, focused, and on track, and I enjoy helping others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Melissa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to being dedicated and loyal, and not minding getting my hands dirty when needed. I like to learn new things, especially when it comes to new software. In fact, I actually teach the younger kids about technology and software. My willingness to continuously learn and adapt, combined with my commitment to doing whatever it takes to get the job done, has been key to my success over these 30-plus years in my field. I've always been known as the GO TO PERSON.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t be afraid to try something new or step outside of your comfort zone in your career. Never think you’re less capable than anyone else. A college degree isn’t the only path to learning—most skills can be developed with time, effort, and a willingness to grow. Even in more specialized roles, I’ve seen vice presidents and company owners achieve great success without formal education, simply by working their way up, taking chances, and embracing new opportunities.
The key is not to let fear or a lack of formal credentials hold you back from going after what you want to achieve.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is communication. Today's technology and generation relies too much on texting instead of picking up a phone and calling, which leads to trying to read in between the lines. I think social media has hindered the world tremendously in communication and has affected people's ability to actually know how to talk and communicate effectively. This lack of direct, personal communication is creating real barriers in the world and workplace and making it harder for people to connect and understand each other clearly.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are commitment, honesty, dependability, and kindness. Family is also a priority for me - I make sure to go back and forth to South Carolina several times a year to visit my mom, sister, brother, aunts, and cousins. I'm also passionate about animals and would take in any stray, abused, adopted, or rescued animal if I could had a farm. These values of loyalty, integrity, and compassion guide everything I do, both professionally and personally.
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