Melanie founded Preferred Living Solutions in 2008 after navigating the fragmented path of finding, selecting, and supervising reliable support for her own family members. Melanie knew she wanted to share the knowledge she had gained through her own experience. Her previous work in the disability service arena paired with her personal experience now benefits families facing similar challenges. Her goal as managing partner of Preferred Living Solutions is to provide a service that respects individual and family dynamics and preferences while securing the greatest quality of life possible for seniors and people with disabilities.

A Wake Forest native, Melanie has a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and more than 20 years of experience in the human service field. Before founding Preferred Living Solutions, Melanie was the executive director of Community Partnerships, a local non-profit that provides rehabilitation and support services to people with disabilities. An active member of her community, Melanie has served on the board of directors as vice president for First in Families of North Carolina, a non-profit organization that helps people with developmental disabilities and their families create the lives they want now and in the future. Melanie lives in Swansboro with her husband, Lloyd.