Get To Know Melissa

Skydiver | Author | Speaker

I am a true entrepreneur. As a child, I would insist on playing ‘business’ and would set up makeshift stores from restaurants with hand-drawn menus, to plastic stapled to paper with crayon-colored MasterCard logos. Since then I’ve amassed a wealth of experience from skydiving – from running a skydiving center (my dad was a a pioneering skydiver and businessman) to becoming an instructor, sponsored athlete, marketer, and more!

I continue the entrepreneurship fire burning by continuing to be a student in other industries. I became a Private Pilot, P2 Paraglider Pilot, earned her Advanced Communicator Bronze in Toastmasters, authored and published 3 books, became a keynote speaker, am an former business owner. I also am a digital marketer “by day” with my new business, Mel Lowe, LLC which focuses on building digital courses, mastermind marketing, social media strategy, and more. However, most importantly, I’m a wife and mother!

ABOUT MELISSA

I discovered I had this gift for leadership and evolved to finding my entrepreneurial spirit. I’ve had the great fortunate to organize, host, create several well-known events including the USPA National Skydiving Championships, International Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame, Sponsorship Liaison to the World Meet, and several boogies as well as lead many successful world record attemps.

Over 11,000 Skydives
23 World Records (2003 – 2018)
US Nationals Medals in Freestyle, Freefly & 10-Way
USPA D-License, Instructor & Pro Ratings
2011 Stephan Banic Award
Co-Creator of Vertical Formation Skydiving
Highlight Pro Skydiving Team Member
Project 19 World Record Organizer
Lead Organizer for Events Nation & Event Organizer World Wide
TEDx Speaker
3x Published Author

My Life Story

I made my first tandem jump in 1982 at the age of 5, making me a third generation skydiver. I now have over 11,000 jumps, am an IAD/AFF Instructor S&TA, Demo Jumper, Highlight Pro Skydiving Team Member, World Record organizer, and USPA National Director. I am also a 3-time National Champion in Freestyle, and have 23 World Records. Oh yes – mostly importantly, I’m a MOM!

I’ve co-organized the successful 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010 & 2013 Women’s Vertical World Records (WVWR). I have also organized all over the United States including famous boogies such as Skydive Chicago’s “Summerfest,” Skydive Carolina’s “Carolina Fest,” Skydive Elsinore’s “Chick’s Rock”, and Skydive Orange’s “Orange Boogie,” as well as organized events in Canada, Mexico, Australia and Italy.

I also am the creator of 4-Way VFS competitive skydiving, was a co-owner of Skydive Chicago from 2003-2007, and published 3 books known as the Sugar Alpha Chronicles. I have also worked with Dropzone Marketing for the last four years as the Content Manager, from time-to-time, write for many skydiving industry magazine articles including Parachutist, Blue Skies Magazine, and http://www.SkydiveMag.com.

TWO-TIME AUTHOR

Melissa’s father Roger Nelson was a pioneering skydiver and a controversial character who spent nearly five years in prison for his drug smuggling escapades. Roger had written his story from his memoirs during his indictments. The manuscript set on a desk for years after Roger was released from prison. In 2003, Roger had a skydiving accident which took his life. A year after his death, Melissa made it her mission to share her father’s legacy. Melissa had quite a task at hand as the entire manuscript had to be rewritten for the non-skydiver or for people who did not know him. After an arduous five years, the first book was published, and another five years later, the second was published.