Mel is currently the Commissioner of Finance for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, a sovereign tribal nation (Nation) located in central and east central Minnesota, and has served in this role since 2019. Two of the more commonly recognized businesses are Grand Casino Hinckley and Grand Casino Mille Lacs. His primary responsibilities include oversight and management of the financial affairs of the Nation, including financial investments, accounting, cash management, budgeting, and financial reporting.

Mel is also Vice President of the Nation's inaugural Institutional Investment Committee and a Director for Woodlands National Bank (2006 – Present). Mel served two three-year terms on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce (2009 – 2015) and served his country in the United States Army.

Mel graduated from the University of Minnesota - Duluth with a BA in Business, majoring in Finance and minoring in Accounting and American Indian Studies.