Commissioner Melissa Merrell was elected to office in November 2022, and elected by fellow Commissioners as vice chair in December 2022. Merrell previously served on the Union County Board of Education from 2014-2022. During her eight years of service on the Board of Education, Merrell served as chair of the Board for six years, and helped oversee a $454 million budget. She also served as a legislative liaison to state lawmakers representing Union County in the North Carolina General Assembly. Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson appointed her to the K-12 Education F.A.C.T.S. Task Force in 2021 to support students, parents and teachers across North Carolina.

Commissioner Merrell grew up in eastern North Carolina before earning a degree in Architecture from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She worked in the private sector as a Project Manager to balance a national sales team with corporate demands, global budgets, construction schedules, and manufacturing. Merrell began volunteering in Union County Public Schools and in community organizations in 2005 after moving to Union County.

Commissioner Merrell and her husband Rob met in college and have been married 26 years. They are the proud parents of two adult sons, Trent and Taylor, who both graduated from Union County Public Schools. The Merrell’s are active members at First Baptist Church Indian Trail.

Commissioner Merrell believes Union County is one of the best places to raise a family. Her priorities include keeping taxes low, supporting great schools, and managing growth.

Melissa.Merrell@unioncountync.gov