Melissa graduated from Marist College with a B.S. in Accounting in 1988. After graduation, she worked in public accounting for five years, and earned her CPA certificate in 1991. Upon certification, she moved into the private sector, working within the cable industry, retail mall management, and then with a Lakeville, CT based racing/driving school. Melissa joined Indian Mountain School with nineteen years of prior accounting/finance experience. She and her husband Brian reside in Salisbury with their Australian Cattle Dog Ringo.