Melissa: Gemologist/IT Expert

Have I ever told you guys about Melissa?  She is a gemologist (like me) and is loco crazy about gemstones.

She is also candy-crazed.  I am pregnant so I have had candy at my desk to help combat the nausea (that is my excuse anyway) and she CAN NOT HANDLE IT.  Be it lifesavers, gummi bears or chocolate she is helpless when it comes to candy.  When my back is turned she empties half the container in her mouth and then apologizes profusely.

And she doubles as a girl scout.  If you need tweezers or any type of information about anything or hairspray she is your girl.  Just a moment ago Hildi almost wigged out because she got ink on her pristine white slacks and Mel saved the day with a Shout Wipe.

Mel is also our on staff technological expert.  She has unflagging patience with anything that has electrical components.  She loves spearheading a good roundtable on what kind of HDTV you need to buy.  I have seen her become inappropriately giddy because she gets to purchase a new phone.  What is a headache to the rest of us is the most wonderful treat to her.

She is also the antithesis of a morning person. She is practically comatose. If you want to communicate with her you have to be proficient in grunt and point. It drives our morning person on staff crazy (ahem- Corky).

But you just have to be patient (and wait for the gigantic mug of coffee to hit her bloodstream). Once she gets going, she is unfailingly kind, sweet, scrupulous and proficient. There is no one better with a cranky client or a difficult vendor. She is extremely meticulous with her gemology (I am more of an “eyeball it” kind of girl) and she makes all of our lives much easier.

- Cristina