Mel was a 4-H’ in Muskegon Co., MI. After graduating from Michigan State, he worked with National 4-H Foundation (Council) prior to military service. He returned as a 4-H Youth Agent in Monroe Co., then joined the Peace Corps staff as liaison with Cooperative Extension. He spent two years in Nigeria as the Overseas Representative under a Peace Corps contract. He returned to the Michigan State 4-H staff for two years before joining National 4-H Council in 1968 as Associate Director, and later Director of 4-H International Programs. Mel was consultant to the Botswana 4B Foundation Board of Directors and coordinator of the 1972 World IFYE Conference and 1979 & 1984 Caribbean Rural Youth Leaders Seminars.
Mel’ international interest began when his family started hosting exchange participants and was strengthened when he heard Russell Mawby report on his 1948 IFYE experience in the United Kingdom. He and Mawby now chair the Michigan 4-H International Programs Endowment to support global education experiences for Michigan 4-H. He was president of the Michigan 4-H International Association, twice president of the IFYE Association of the USA and edited the newsletter for over 15 years. Mel served on the National 4-H International Task Force and on the International Home Economics Services board of directors. He is Vice President of a family business founded by his wife, Linda, and an active church member.
