Melissa Shannon

Melissa Shannon is the Founder and CEO of Benchmark Public Affairs. She has a strong track record of accomplishments in public affairs and a deep knowledge of Montana politics, policymakers, and issues.

 

Prior to founding Benchmark Public Affairs, Melissa was an Executive Vice President of Strategies 360 (S360) where she served on the leadership team of the company and ran the Montana office for nine years. Melissa established S360 in Montana as a leading firm offering government affairs, communications, public involvement, marketing, and campaign services. Some of S360’s accomplishments under Melissa’s tenure includes: winning the 6 Mill Levy for higher education campaign in 2018 by a historic margin, passing legislation that created the Coal Trust Multifamily Homes program, which funds affordable housing, assisting the Black Butte Copper project in securing their Mine Operating Permit, and passing legislation that allows agency liquor stores to be open on Sunday and holidays. Melissa has also led efforts to defeat legislation that would hurt her clients, including separate efforts three sessions in a row that would increase taxes for renewable energy providers and deregulate the garbage industry in Montana.

 

Before joining S360 in 2014, Melissa was the director of government affairs for Cablevision and Charter Communications, overseeing legislation and policy in Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming. Melissa developed strategic plans to advance legislative and regulatory policies in that role, including fostering bipartisan relationships with policymakers and building coalitions with peer companies and organizations. She also negotiated and managed franchise agreements with 150 city and county governments and oversaw charitable and political contribution plans.

 

Formerly, as a principal with Kountoupes Consulting in Washington, D.C., Melissa advised Fortune 500, high-tech, telecom, health care, and energy companies such as Yahoo and Netflix. She crafted and implemented successful strategic plans to advance her client’s goals with the Administration, Members of Congress, and the public.

 

Melissa also worked for senior members of Congress, including an eight-year stint with the Speaker of the House, providing counsel on telecommunications, education, labor, science, small business, veterans, and agriculture. In addition, Melissa worked for the Montana State Legislature, the Montana Office of Public Instruction, and on several Montana and Congressional campaigns.

 

A native of Fairfield, Montana, Melissa is a proud former Lady Eagle basketball player. Melissa graduated with honors from the University of Montana with a degree in political science.