Living Hopefully.
As President and Chief Executive Officer, Melissa Blevins champions the Chattanooga Area Food Bank's mission to lead a network of partners in eliminating hunger and promoting better nutrition in our region. Her leadership will continue the Food Bank’s nearly 50-year history of serving anyone facing hunger across Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.
Melissa previously worked on the front lines fighting hunger during her tenure at the Food Bank as Director of Programs and Operations from 2011 to 2017. During this time, the organization experienced significant growth, more than doubling annual hunger relief efforts, and was recognized for its innovative approach to distributing fresh produce and milk by Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Melissa’s prior roles include leadership positions at Girls Inc. of Chattanooga, Beaulieu of America and McCain Foods.
Melissa is an active member of the Chattanooga community, volunteering with Susan G. Komen, the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce and, the Kiwanis Club of Chattanooga. She has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Covenant College.
Melanie Hammontree has 15 years of fundraising experience. Melanie originally joined the Food Bank in September 2017 as development officer for northwest Georgia during which time she held responsibility for the nine Georgia counties served by the Food Bank. She was promoted in May 2019 to oversee development efforts for the Food Bank’s entire service area. Prior experience includes the Dalton Arts Project and Wachovia Bank (now Wells Fargo).
Shelley Armstrong has three decades of fundraising, special events and volunteer management experience. As Director of Events and Major Gifts, she leads event planning, coordination and sponsorship of the Food Bank’s largest event, HullaBOWLoo; collaborates closely with community partners on the annual WRCB Channel 3’s Share Your Christmas; and oversees food drives and community fundraisers.
Prior to joining the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Shelley was Senior Regional Director at the American Heart Association’s Southeast Affiliate where she most notably led the planning and coordination of the Heart Ball, Pulse Party and associated events. The American Heart Association recognized her with the Outstanding Fundraising Award in the Southeast Affiliate for seven consecutive years. She also coordinated CPR trainings, blood pressure screenings, and volunteer recruitment and training. This role was her second at the American Heart Association; after graduating from Mercer University, Shelley was director of income for the American Heart Association’s Southeast Affiliate during which she recruited and trained volunteers, and implemented many fundraising activities still in practice today.
Shelley was also previously Special Events and Volunteer Coordinator at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, for nearly 10 years. She is still an active member of the congregation and serves as lay eucharistic minister lead, lector and more.
As Director of Agency and Government Relations, Ginger Gibson supports the Food Bank’s more than 200 nonprofit agency partners, collaborates with public and private sector organizations to help meet the needs of our 20-county service area, and advocates for policies that address food insecurity.
Ginger is passionate about serving the needs of people and children facing hunger. In her last role as Deputy State Director of Child Nutrition for the Mississippi Department of Education, Ginger administered USDA child nutrition programs including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program. Previously, she was senior attorney for the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Family and Children’s Services. She has wide-ranging legal experience in private practice and as an Assistant Public Defender in Mississippi.
Originally from Mississippi, Gibson holds a law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and a bachelor’s degree from Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.
Supporting the operational and strategic priorities of the Chattanooga Area Food Bank, Jennifer provides oversight and coordination of grants management. Working with the entire team, Board and community, she strives to create partnerships that propel our mission and vision forward.
As Executive Assistant to the President & CEO, she manages all administrative tasks for the Office of the President & CEO, and serves as a liaison to the Board of Directors. While organizing and coordinating executive outreach and external relations efforts, Jennifer is mission-driven and community oriented.
A multi-tasking mama not afraid of a challenge, Jennifer loves spending her weekends with her kiddos, husband and three dogs.
