Melissa Wilkerson is the kind of person who’s always buzzing around, lending a hand wherever it’s needed. In her own words, her job is “basically being a busy little bee,” and we couldn’t agree more! If you’ve spent any time at HAC, chances are that you’ve crossed paths with her. She may have been scrubbing down a locker room, watching kids go down the water slide, or greeting you at the admissions table during a swim meet! But there’s so much more to Melissa than just her strong work ethic and can-do attitude.
Melissa’s story started in two very different places: Schaumberg, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), and Hot Springs, North Carolina (a cute little town situated on the Appalachian Trail). If you have a chance to speak with this energetic, friendly staff member, you’ll hear a bit of a Midwestern accent combined with hints of Appalachian Mountain twang. Thanks to these roots, she is incredibly adaptable and down-to-earth. Melissa studied Clinical Massage Therapy at The Soma Institute in Chicago and also holds a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati, with a focus on infant to 5-year-old development.
Before joining the HAC team, Melissa spent over a decade as a professional nanny in downtown Chicago. That fulfilling chapter of her life came to a close when she retired from nannying at 39, packed up her life, and literally drove into the distance in a van. That’s not just a poetic turn of phrase – she hit the road in 2022, embracing the nomadic life with her two dogs, working as a campsite host in Deschutes National Forest and later doing housekeeping in Umpqua National Forest.
In October 2024, Melissa and her partner decided to park the van (at least for now) and call Holland home. And we’re so glad they did!
At HAC, Melissa is officially part of our Facilities team, but unofficially, she’s a Swiss army knife on our staff. One day she’s power washing the pool deck, the next day she’s serving snacks at the concession stand. She does it all with a laugh, a smile, and a great sense of humor! No matter what task she’s assigned, for Melissa, the best part about working here is that she gets to be her true, honest self. “I feel fully embraced by everyone for who I am,” she says.
When asked about the best advice she’s ever received, Melissa shared some wisdom she’s learned over the last few years: “Life is in the small things. It’s not about the consumption of material things. It’s in the sun on your face, good food, rainy days, and laughter.” It’s a philosophy she lives out daily, and one that reminds all of us to slow down and savor what really matters.
We’re lucky to have this busy bee in the HAC family. If you see Melissa around the facility, give her a wave (or a coffee—she deserves it)!
Learn more about Melissa
Favorite food: Potatoes
Favorite place to visit: Family in North Carolina
Things that bring me joy: Coffee and cuddles with my dogs
Bucket list item: [My partner] James and I want to retire in Thailand.
You would be surprised to know: I grew up dogsledding and breeding Alaskan Malamutes!
At Holland Aquatic Center, our facilities are awesome and so is our staff. In this We Are HAC! series, we will introduce you to the people who love to teach, coach, protect, serve, and inspire here. Our amazing team, more than 100 strong, is passionate about empowering healthy, connected lives through aquatics and wellness programming.