Leadership Team
Michael Ayers
Melody Buller
Michael Ayers
Michael Ayers has served as president & CEO of the Melbourne Regional Chamber since January 2018. A strategic leader with experience in managing government agencies, political campaigns and community-based organizations, Ayers brings to the role nearly 20 years in government relations, management and political marketing in Washington, D.C., Illinois, Tallahassee and Brevard County.
From 2015 through 2017, Ayers served as the director of government relations for Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute at Lake Nona. In this capacity, he was responsible for generating funding for the institute’s biomedical research and maintaining a positive relationship between the institute and its government partners. Prior to his service at SBP, Ayers served as the chief of staff at three state agencies, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) as well as the legislative director at AWI. In this capacity, he directed the agency’s legislative and budgetary priorities during each session and coordinated communication between the agency, Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget, and various trade groups and associations throughout the State of Florida.
Born and raised in Central Illinois, Ayers graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, then relocated to Washington, D.C. to begin his professional career. After a brief stint with the United States House Committee on Government Reform, he joined the Office of U.S. Congressman Robin Hayes (NC-8), where he served as a legislative assistant with responsibility over Economic Development, Labor, Trade and other issues. In addition to his time in Washington, Ayers has served in various capacities in several state and federal campaigns and multiple stints with the Republican Party of Florida.
Melody Buller
Buller has spent nearly 30 years in leadership at the Melbourne Regional Chamber, including 25 years at CFO. In her current role, she oversees all financial and human resource functions, as well overseeing the annual audit process and maintaining the accuracy of the database and accounting connection.
She left the Melbourne Chamber for five years to serve as executive vice president/CFO of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce in Appleton, Wisconsin. Throughout her career, she has gained expertise in finance, fundraising, organizational management, leadership, budgeting and analysis.
Buller earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Accounting from the College of William and Mary; an Associate of Arts degree in Basic Programming from Wor-Wic Community College and an IOM designation from the Association of Chamber Executives. She serves as a board member for the LPGA Amateur Association and was a founding member of CASA. She also has participated in the United Way Loaned Leader Program.
“Working at the Chamber has allowed me to build the local community by helping our local businesses grow, said Buller. “This chamber has been and continues to be the catalyst for positive growth and change people think just happens.”
