When I purchased Star Local Media from the previous owners in 2016, there were many contingencies and concerns. The single biggest operational concern was whether Melissa would stay with the company and new ownership. Although I had worked with her during a previous tenure at the company a decade earlier and for ten months prior to purchase, I never could tell whether she really enjoyed working at Star Local Media and particularly with me. Melissa wasn’t one to “show her cards” in the workplace—until you got to know her. Because of the crazy hours she worked and my “banker” hours, we didn’t see each other a lot. However, we had a consistent hour together at our weekly department head meeting and developed an almost comedic routine. Upon seeing her at the conference room table, I would ask: “Did you miss me?” Melissa would deadpan: “Of course. Did you miss me?” We switched lines occasionally and the routine started our weekly meeting with smiles around the table. One of the biggest compliments in my 35 year career was when she told me she in fact “liked working with me” and that I was “a smart guy.” It meant so much because Melissa wasn’t one to say what she didn’t mean. It has been 2 1/2 months since she passed away and I write this message with my eyes leaking. What started as a joke is now a reality, Melissa. I can say seriously with my heart heavy: “Yes, I miss you.” Peace and God bless.

-Scott A. Wright