Mayor Ford appoints executive assistant: Melissa Juarez Battles

Gadsden Mayor Craig Ford continues to assemble his team at City Hall, adding a Gadsden woman with accounting experience in state agencies as his executive assistant.

Melissa Juarez Battles will bring to the role experience in business management, governmental accounting, and executive office support, according to a news release.

“Melissa is one of the brightest young minds I have encountered, and I’m so glad to have her on my team,” said Ford. “With her governmental accounting background, she will bring a wealth of expertise to the mayor’s office. Her organizational and communication skills will help us ensure we serve the public and respond to requests as efficiently as possible.”

Battles is a graduate of Southside High School, Gadsden State Community College and Jacksonville State University. She holds an associate degree in business and a bachelor's degree in accounting.

Most recently, Battles served as staff accountant for the Alabama State Department of Education. There, she was responsible for auditing school systems’ financial statements, budgets, amendments, and indirect costs. Other duties included assisting chief school financial officers with the accounting duties and reports required by the state and federal governments.

Previously, she was the accountant for the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office under the leadership of Secretary John H. Merrill. There, she was responsible for accounts payable, accounts receivable and purchasing supplies and equipment for the state agency. She also has experience assisting with the administration of federal grants and monitoring elections.

Battles is a familiar face to many in Gadsden as her family owns the popular El Tapatio II Mexican Restaurant on Rainbow Drive, giving her lifelong experience in business management.

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She began her career at Boatner & Pugh Certified Public Accountants, in downtown Gadsden, as an intern and office assistant.

“Over the years, I’ve come to realize that no matter where I am in the world, Gadsden, Alabama, will always be home,” Battles said. “I am thrilled to be able to contribute and work with a great team and a motivated mayor to move Gadsden forward and grow the very community that has always supported me and my family.”

She has been married to Jesse Battles of Gadsden, a small business owner and former government relations professional, for four years.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden's new mayor appoints executive assistant