Get to Know Melissa Weaver
Modified: October 7, 2024
Article
Author: FAIA Newsroom
Every FAIA agency member is assigned a Member Advocate (MA) to be their direct point of contact at the association, but for many agents, the first person they connect with at the association is our Director of Member Engagement and Data Analytics, Melissa Weaver. We sat down with Melissa and talked to her about the best parts of her job, her favorite FAIA event, and why she admires her dad.
Melissa Weaver
Director of Member Engagement and Data Analytics
Years with the association: 18 years
Hometown: Havana, Fla.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part is getting to connect with members and talk with new members. I like getting to know more about them and be a help to members whenever I can. I also really enjoy putting together the Exhibit Hall at Convention each year.
What do you wish more members knew about FAIA?
I wish more members knew more about all the resources we offer and took better advantage of them. A lot of the time, members don’t know that these resources can also be accessed on our website in places like the education library and the welcome page for new members.
What’s your favorite FAIA Event?
I would have to say Convention is my favorite FAIA event. It’s our largest event and we get to see most of our members there. For me, it’s always a nice opportunity to put a face to the name.
What’s the most common question you get from members?
A lot of the questions I get are regarding access to markets. With those, about 99 percent of the time they’re looking for more information about FAIA’s market access options.
Who has made the biggest impact on your career up to this point?
I would say the two people who have had the most impact on my career here at FAIA are former CEO Jeff Grady and current CEO Kyle Ulrich. They both took me underneath their wing, and they helped me grow past my weaknesses and improve my strengths. They are great mentors and I have the utmost respect for them.
What do you do for fun?
I like to travel and I like to go deep-sea fishing.
Who do you admire and why?
I admire my dad because he showed me at such a young age that you must work for what you want. He taught me that nothing is handed to you for free, and he’s always instilled that and respect of others into us.
What is the last book you read?
The last book I read is Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily & Amelia Nagoski.
What is your favorite thing?
My favorite thing is hanging out with my grandchildren.
What is one thing people are surprised to learn about you?
Most people don’t know that I graduated high school at 16 years old. I put three years’ worth of high school into six months and graduated with my high school diploma.