As president of the Clive Jaycees, Melissa Sampson has helped the group become the No. 2 Jaycees chapter in the nation. That’s just in her spare time. During the workday, Sampson toils as a senior public relations account executive at Strategic America, a Clive-based marketing communications firm.

Sampson grew up in Eagle Grove and received her undergraduate degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1996. The following year, she graduated from Drake University with a master’s degree in marketing and communications.

She then spent a year working for Medicap Pharmacies Inc. in West Des Moines, first as an intern, then as a full-time employee. Her next job was with Strategic America as a public relations specialist.

“I was interested in going to an agency because it exposes you quickly to a lot of different areas in the marketing field,” she said. “You also get to experience a lot of different industries. Some of my clients are in tourism, but others are in asphalt and paving or higher education.”

She says the diversity of workers at Strategic America and the diverse clientele keep her job fresh and interesting. She also credits the company’s principals, Michael and John Schreurs, with supporting employee involvement in service organizations.

“They really believe in giving back to the community and supporting community organizations,” she said. “They want their staff to get involved, too, and that’s one of the things I really value about working here.”

Sampson is proud of the Clive Jaycees recent rise to No. 2 nationwide. The group has also been No. 1 in the state for the last two quarters. The Jaycees is an organization that offers opportunities for community service and fun for people between the ages of 21 and 39, Sampson said. The groups chapters ranked based upon the growth and development of membership and participation in national Jaycees projects. The Clive Jaycees have become well-known for their Clive After Five events, evenings of music that have raised $250,000 for charity in the last four years.

Although she has no specific goals for the future, Sampson generally knows what she wants.

“I want to continue to be challenged,” she said.