| My name is Melissa Garff Ballard. As your State Representative, I'm working hard to represent you, your family and our community in House District 20.
Early Life
Melissa Garff Ballard was born and raised in Davis County. She attended the University of Utah, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Piano Performance and a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Accompanying. She was the Founding Chair of the University of Utah School of Music Advisory Board and Camarata Awards.
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Serving Her Community
Melissa managed her professional piano studio for more than 23 years and recently released an album with Centaur Records with world-renowned violinist, David Park, ranked 44th globally. She serves on the National Advisory Board for Western States Hydrogen Alliance and worked extensively across state lines to connect hydrogen producers and manufacturers with consumers. She is the Co-Founder of the Salt Lake CAP Head Start Advisory Board supporting hundreds of at-risk children whose families live below the poverty level. She has served as a volunteer and organizer for Utah schools, Boy Scouts of America for ten years, and lectured extensively for the Utah Music Teachers Association. She has been the recipient of the Heart and Hand Award in 2007. A portrait of her and her husband are hung in the wings of the Libby Gardner Concert Hall at the University of Utah as a recipient of their Camarata Award in 2011.
Legislative Service
In 2018, Melissa was elected to serve as the Representative for House District 20 in the Utah House of Representatives. Her family has long served Utah in the Legislature, with roots dating back to Utah's first Legislature. Most recently, her father, Robert Garff, served as the Speaker of the Utah House. During her time in the Utah House, Melissa has served on the Public Education Committee, Transportation Committee, Criminal and Law Enforcement Committee, and is the Vice-Chair of the Higher Education Appropriations Committee. She has served on the Governor's Utah Education Commission for two years and is the Chair of the Utah Marriage Commission. She has been a strong advocate and sponsor of legislation on education funding transparency, water usage, telehealth, Legacy Highway, and recognizing women in Utah as the first to vote in the entire nation. She serves on WICHE Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, the Utah Natural History Advisory Board, and is the Vice-President of the Women's Legislative Network of NCSL (National Council of State Legislators). Melissa also serves on the NCSL (National Conference of State Legislators) Women's Legislative Network Nominating Committee.
Family
Melissa is married to Craig Bowen Ballard. They have 6 children and one grandson. Together they recently presided over the Oregon Portland Mission 2014-2017 for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where they were in charge of more than 650 young adult volunteer missionaries. |