Melissa Battles is a graduate of Southside High School, Gadsden State Community College, and Jacksonville State University. She holds an associate degree in business and a bachelor's degree in accounting. Gadsden is where Battles grew up and where she calls home.

Most recently, Battles served as staff accountant for the Alabama State Department of Education. There, she was responsible for auditing school systems’ financial statements, budgets, amendments, and indirect costs. Other duties included assisting chief school financial officers with the accounting duties and reports required by the State and Federal government.

Previously, she was the accountant for the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office under the leadership of Secretary John H. Merrill. There, she was responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable, and purchasing supplies and equipment for the state agency. She also has experience assisting with the administration of federal grants and monitoring elections.

Battles is a familiar face to many in Gadsden as her family owns the popular El Tapatio II Mexican Restaurant on Rainbow Drive, giving her lifelong experience in business management.  She began her career at Boatner & Pugh Certified Public Accountants, in downtown Gadsden, as an intern and office assistant. 

She has been married to Jesse Battles of Gadsden for four years. Jesse is a small business owner and former government relations professional. The couple has two cats (Plato and Eden) and one dog (Jagger).