Melissa E. Goldmeier

Assistant County Solicitor

Howard County Office of Law

Melissa Goldmeier endured four months of grueling training to prepare for the Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon in March, which she finished in four hours and six minutes. She uses that same discipline and energy to motivate others in her volunteer work with two nonprofit groups, Athletes Serving Athletes and Thread.

“I am a problem solver who finds sincere joy in helping others, and I believe that the power of relationships can help people realize their full potential,” Goldmeier said.

Goldmeier is a board member with Athletes Serving Athletes, which teams up athletes (called wingmen) with people with mobility impairments, so those with impairments can participate in running events, including marathons, using special equipment and help from their wingmen.

“I have raced over 100 miles while pushing people with impairments, and I recruited the most new wingmen for the 2016 racing season,” she said.

Thread, Goldmeier’s other focus, provides ninth-grade students facing life challenges with volunteers who help the students during a 10-year period. Goldmeier mentors one girl and assists three other volunteers also helping the child.

“These relationships help people understand that the success of one person depends on the success of their neighbors,” Goldmeier said. “It helps form bonds that strengthen our city.”

Professionally, Goldmeier is most proud of drafting legislation in Howard County with First Amendment implications. Before working for the county’s Office of Law, she was an associate attorney with Eccleston & Wolf.