Melissa Lawney, telecommunication engineer, resides in Spanish Springs, Nevada, on the outskirts of Pyramid Lake, with her husband and three sons. She serves as the Washoe County regional communications coordinator, overseeing the public safety radio system, which caters to more than 4,000 users representing 15 agencies within the Washoe County Regional Communication System (WCRCS). In addition to her local responsibilities, Melissa also serves as the secretary of the National Regional Planning Committee Board of Directors and presides as the chair for region 27 of the National Regional Planning Council.