I feel an obligation to give back and believe I am uniquely prepared to draw on my years in finance and business to speak up for the critical economic development our retires and hard working families deserve.

Melissa Oremus is a valley native and a graduate of District 84 schools (Byrd Elementary, Leavelle McCampbell Middle, Midland Valley High School) and University of South Carolina - Aiken. She also obtained her Masters in Business Administration from Southern Wesleyan University.

She is the owner of multiple, successful small businesses in Aiken including Bisquecuts and Glazy. She has been a strong conservative advocate all of her life-specifically on school improvement and education reform. She also helped fundraise for Governor Nikki Haley.

Melissa is married to James Oremus, and they raise their three children in Mid Valley communities. Melissa and her family attend Christian Heritage Church where she has been involved in the following- community outreach program that helped clean and repair homes of the elderly with her church home group, kids' church volunteer, prayer group leader, built a water well on a mission trip to India, sponsored 3 children through World Vision.

She has been a long time supporter of many local, national, and international faith-based or civic charities having either volunteered or donated to the following- Aiken Lions Club Lovesong Foundation ACTS World Vision Carly Unlimited Home-group Community Outreach Parent-Teacher Organizations Cumbie Center Helping Hands Aiken Tri-Development Center Mardi BRAWS Walking Tall Ministry IGA Nephropathy Foundation of America Carley's Rays of Hope Child Advocacy Center Beside the Badge