Melissa W. Hiatt's campaign for Surry County Commissioner is her first run for public office.

Melissa works as an executive director of the United Fund of Surry. She previously worked as a senior director of development at Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care and a senior manager at the American Cancer Society.

Melissa is from Surry County. She holds an associate's degree in business administration and management from Surry Community College and a second associate's degree in business and corporate communication from Davidson College. She also holds a bachelor's degree in human services from Davidson College and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Phoenix. She is married to her husband, with whom she has 3 children and 4 grandchildren. She previously served as a church youth leader and Sunday school teacher.