19 www.Char l e s tonWomenPodcas t . com | www.ReadCW. com | www. Ins t ag ram. com /Char l e s tonWomen Feature When Melvin was growing up, it wasn’t necessarily the norm for girls to be encouraged into fields like infrastructure, logistics or trade policy. However, Melvin indicated that this was never an issue for her. “I’ve never been told that I’m not qualified to do something I wanted to do. I was never discouraged,” she said. The simple answer is that Melvin was always qualified—because she was the first one to refuse to question it. She never believed she wasn’t qualified, and the fruit that fell from her tree spoke to that. She didn’t hear scoffs in the background, if there were any. She didn’t feel threatened or competitive. She also credits her success to listening to people more than talking. That’s probably what allowed her to collect the information she needed to establish plans that made sense for large groups or organizations. She just continued to work toward goals that benefitted the greater good no matter her position. She never saw a need to edge anyone out, but to make room for more and to make room for progress. “When a pond is full, I would just rather build a bigger pond. Our job is to leave the door open behind us,” she relayed. That’s exactly what was done for Melvin, and what she intends to do for whomever comes after her. Before 2018, Melvin wasn’t sure she’d end up as the chief executive officer of a port. However, her predecessor, Jim Newsome, believed deeply that she was up next and bestowed greatness upon her. Melvin said, “His faith in me gave me greater faith in myself.” Once she realized her destiny, she stepped up to the plate even more. Before her official coronation, Melvin led the port in 15 consecutive months of record-breaking cargo volume. Reaching the top only made her fight harder. Now she sees her ultimate goal as preparing the port for an even stronger future once the sun has set on her time. She makes efforts to build coalitions and collaborations, to correct pitfalls (that she admits having a gift for foreseeing) and to prepare the port for smooth transitions into the future. She wants to make sure those wheels that turn for thousands of people every day keep turning. Her life’s goal is success for not just one, certainly not just herself, but for all. “Whoever said there’s a work/life balance was lying. It’s a lot. But I do have a great group of women where I can relax and be myself,” she shared. “I exercise in the morning, and I spend weekends in the Keys when I can. Years from now, I’ll be there all the time. But one of the best gifts you can give someone is a great job. I want to make sure that continues on. That’s my big dream for the future.” The Ports Authority of South Carolina is in great hands — hands that will possibly create even more opportunities for tomorrow than they do for today. Because of that, the future for thousands of South Carolinians continues to shine brightly with promise for job stability, economic growth and access to commodities. That sounds a lot like hope…for everyone.
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