Melissa DeDomenico-Payne was born in New York and moved to Front Royal at the age of 2. She received a wonderful education and graduated from Warren County’s public school system. Melissa earned degrees at Shenandoah University (B.A. English and B.S. Psychology, magna cum laude); Marymount University (M.A. Psychological Services – Counseling); and Capella University (Doctor of Public Administration, graduated with distinction). She also completed the “Leadership Plenty” program through UVA’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. She considers herself a life-long learner and enjoys learning from people and life experiences in addition to classroom learning.
Aside from a brief period in Tennessee, Melissa has lived the greater portion of her adult life in Virginia and Front Royal/Warren County. Most of Melissa’s career has been spent in executive and administrative roles within non-profit and educational organizations at the national, state, regional, and local levels. Melissa is a Grants Manager at Laurel Ridge Community College and also operates a small part-time contracting business to assist non-profits and educational groups with short-term projects typically involving research, writing, and development.
Melissa and her husband Bill have been married for nearly 30 years; she has three stepsons, one son, and one daughter. She loves spending time with family, traveling, writing, and working. Grateful for her appointment to the Council, Melissa looks forward to opportunities that will promote positive community engagement and allow her to contribute her own gifts and talents in service to the Council and this beautiful community.
Appointed 1/23/23, term ends upon special election 11/23
Original Term ends 12/31/24(Cockrell Seat)