The People Project:
Melissa Tryniecki Bordelon

By Ashley & Andrew LeSaicherre | November 21, 2021

Meet Melissa Tryniecki Bordelon!

Melissa grew up in Hammond, Louisiana. She is the oldest of 3, with 2 sisters. Her father worked in the Kinesiology Department at Southeastern Louisiana University for over 30 years, and her mother worked as a teacher and principal in local schools. Melissa attended Holy Ghost Catholic School, Hammond High School and Southeastern Louisiana University. She graduated with a degree in Communications in 1989, then her MBA from Mississippi State University in 1995. She married Nic in 1993, and together they have Kelsey (26), Bryce (24) and Karley (22). They also have Mari, a sweet boxer. Since 2015, Melissa has been the President and CEO of the Tangipahoa Chamber. She is also the incoming chairman of the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, a Trustee on the Board with Leadership Tangi, and on the Board for the Hammond Northshore Regional Airshow.

We want to thank Melissa for spending some time with us and letting us get to know about her life and her love of the area.

Q: What led you to your current career?
A: My first job out of college was with Southeastern in the Development Office raising money for the university. Nic and I lived in Meridan when we were first married then moved back to Hammond when Kelsey was born. We then had Bryce and Karley here in Hammond.During that phase of life, our son, Bryce, had to have a kidney transplant at 18 months old. Nic, my husband, donated his kidney to him. We moved to Greenwell Springs in the early 2000’s and the kids went to St. Alphonsus. I worked as the school Librarian to assist the school and be close to our children.When they were high school-age, we moved to Mandeville. Then, I worked at the St. Tammany Chamber for 4 years. One day, I received a call asking if I was interested in working at the Hammond Chamber, and I immediately said yes. I always say, I was called to come home. I have been here since that call in 2015.

Q: What is your favorite restaurant in the area, and what do you like to get there?
A: All Tangipahoa Chamber members' restaurants are so good! I love sushi from Cate Street, crab cakes from Tope La, Cena's menu and University Donuts on a Sunday.

Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?
A: Growing up in Lakewood Subdivision. My sisters and I would play outside until the sun came down and my Dad would whistle for us to come home. We spent so many hours in the neighborhood pool over the summers.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: Italy and Greece with my husband. I want to see the Vatican and Sicily. My grandmother came from Sicily, I would do some research before I went so I knew the correct spots to see.

Q: What is your favorite movie? What is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: Elf! Our family watches it and we put up the Christmas tree after our Thanksgiving meal to get ready for the Christmas season. Definitely not my first movie in a theater, but I have memories of seeing Titanic with my husband. It was when we were still at the hospital with Bryce, during the time when you couldn’t stay in intensive care.

Q: What advice would you give a group of people?
A: Make it happen. Keep going and cheer people on along the way.

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: To be a voiceover talent on commercials or something like that! People have asked if I am a recording over the phone sometimes. I think it would be fun!

Q: What is your favorite music or an artist/band that you would like to see?
A: We love music. We have been listening to a lot of country music lately, but over the years I have listened to everything. Our family really likes Rob Thomas from Matchbox 20. I would have liked to see Elvis and The Beatles perform with my family. I would feel bad if only I was able to see them!

Q: What current or former business makes you the most nostalgic about the area?
A: Anything Southeastern. After school we would walk there and the campus was like our playground.

Q: If you could choose one person to go to lunch with, who is it and where would you go?
A: Malala Yousafzai, the woman who was shot by the Taliban and Nikki Haley, the former governor of South Carolina. There is something interesting about both of those women, I would like to spend time with them. We would eat at their favorite restaurants so I could get to know them better in that way also.

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique that you love about the area?
A: We are the most hospitable people around. We are excited to see each other and are always asking when they will be coming back. Many times at breakfast, we are asking when they will be back so we can take them to another restaurant.

Q: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Traveling the world with my husband and still helping our community.

Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you (even friends or family)?
A: I am an original Saintsation! It was their first winning season, and many say it was because of us…Ha!

Q: What is a word or phrase that comes to mind when you think of the word “Home”?
A: Family; there is no place like home!

Q: If you could have a full-time staff member that is fully paid for, what would that be? (Chef, housekeeper, driver, coach, personal trainer, etc.)
A: A personal assistant!

Q: If you had to choose one type of cuisine to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
A: Seafood, crawfish and shrimp.

Q: What do you do when you are alone in your car?
A: Pray. I say a prayer for each member of my family on my way to and from work. When someone would ask my Dad how far away something was, he would always say oh, it is a decade (of the rosary) away. I say that too.

Q: What is the last gift you gave and received?
A: Last gift I gave was a “special day” plate to a young, married couple. In our family, when we celebrate anything, a birthday, getting a new job, doing well on a test, anything, we break out the “special day” plate. It says “You Are Special Today!” My kids would always say that it's time for the plate when we were celebrating something, regardless of importance. The last gift I received was a candy jar full of M&M's from my son on my birthday. It is still on my desk, and empty!

Q: What are you known for?
A: My communication and problem-solving skills. I am a good communicator especially about things I am passionate about. I find people come to me to help them solve an issue they are having.

Q: What is your favorite 90s jam?
A: Something by Garth Brooks! We listened to him a lot at that time.

Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: I would like to heal people.

Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: Listening to good music on the patio with my husband. We love spending time at home together.

Q: What is your most commonly used emoji?
A: The happy smiley face and the grimacing face!

Q: What is something you are most proud of?
A: My family. My kids are such good people.

Q: What two items would you take with you if you shipwrecked on a deserted island where food and water were taken care of?
A: My husband and music.

Q: What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently?
A: Any time my kids are home there is always something funny discussed.

Q: If you won the lottery, what would be the first 3 things you would purchase or spend money on?
A: I would help my family, travel and invest!

Melissa was nominated by Elsbet Smith Hollywood and Amy Brumfield

Who would YOU like for us to get to know?

We love meeting, knowing, and working with our community, and we love working with homes and all types of properties. Helping our community achieve their goals through buying and selling property is something we consider ourselves very fortunate to get to do. Contact one of our REALTORS® if we can help!