Melissa Miller:
CLASS OF 1973
Church Hill High SchoolClass of 1973
Church hill, TN
University of Tennessee - CommunicationsClass of 1977
Knoxville, TN
Melissa's Story
Life
Politics and music...or at least in Music City. I am partner in a political consulting firm after several years as a Congressional staffer and previously, a state policy director. Run a lot of political campaingns (have elected officials in office from alderman to Congress and US Senate) and do other PR, grant, and economic/community development. My 18 year old son is going into his senior year (he got behind with 2 open heart surgeries) and I'm blessed with a great bunch of friends who keep me going. Spent several years in the Pacific NW but have been back in TN for nearly 20 yrs. Son and I live in the country near Franklin, TN with 4 dogs and a bunch of backyard wildlife and birds. Certified our place NWF backyard wildlife habitat a couple of yrs ago. Leisure time means a bunch of folks at the house to play pool and eat; anything outdoorsl; live music of every genre; and visiting friends. My son bowls high school and adult league so we spend lots of time at the bowling alley. Most of my friends are in politics so I ususally have events at least once a week. Interestingly one of my best friends grew up being my sister's best friend at CHHS and moved down here a few yrs ago.
School
Carole Tipton Canipe, Phyllis Gibson, and Dennis Hutchins inspired me to go into journalism and always encouraged my writing and photography -- both which have carried me through many careers. Biggest heartbreak was when I went out for annual staff and didn't make it but the theme I created was used for that year's annual. Still stay in touch w...Expand for more
ith Trisha, best friend from 7th grade, though our lives are very different. Many remember my high school boyfriend who went to another school. I was actually married to one of his classmates from UH for 20 yrs. For me, high school was only one crush, and it lasted halfway through college. Newspaper staff and student govt got me started in my career and I did both at UTK as well.
College
UTK...a great time and what I'd gone through high school anticipating. Between politics and journalism I stayed pretty busy -- folks from that era will remember the Bill Battle Big Orange Anarchy Club; student govt elections; Viet Nam Vets Assn; steaking; and driving to the mtns to watch the sun rise. Have stayed in touch with many of my college friends because we all ended up in politics
Workplace
Strangely at best. Ex was always on the road and my son had lots of health problems, so I spent yrs in several PT jobs. Have been incredibly fortunate to have done so many things: PR acct supv; Tourism director, Chamber/CVB director, newspaper reporter, magazine editor, freelance writer, grantwriter, speechwriter, campaign mgr, state policy director, environmental policy/public affairs director, troubleshooter, exec asst to govs and congressmen, PGA/LPGA mktg dir, college prof, hotel sales dir. I just hope in the next 50 yrs I can make some real money on some of them!
Military
No military service but because of environmental policy bkgd, I have had a lot of technical FEMA, TEMA, TVA, BPA, EPA, DOD etc training and lots of buds in the military
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Yearbooks
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Reunions
Photos
