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Melissa Ozbek is a seasoned writer and contributor in the outdoor and hiking niche, currently working as a correspondent at The Mercury News since February 2021, where seasonal round-ups of hikes and outdoor activities in the Bay Area are crafted. With experience as a contributing writer for Weekend Sherpa and Modern Hiker, Melissa focuses on detailed hike descriptions, fun features, and regional history and nature. Additionally, as an author for Avalon Travel, Melissa wrote "Moon 75 Great Hikes Seattle." Previous roles include executive assistance in corporate settings, managing high-level projects, travel arrangements, and communications for Esterline Technologies, Tucson Symphony Orchestra, and IBM, alongside academic roles at Cornell University. Melissa holds a Master's degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from The University of Texas at Austin.