THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 8, 1995 TAG: 9510060205
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Rebecca A. Myers
LENGTH: Medium: 91 lines
At 6 feet 3 and 265 pounds, it's not surprising that Brian Melchor frequently is offered work as a burly bouncer in local nightclubs.
Melchor, 33, was approached so often that he decided to take it a step further by becoming a certified bodyguard.
Last weekend, the Cavalier Manor resident completed a class in defensive tactics called WAR, which stands for ``within arm's reach.''
``One full weekend of excruciating pain training - that's what they called it,'' said Melchor. ``I found out that bodyguards don't have to be big guys.''
Melchor also trains in jujitsu, a Japanese system of wrestling in which knowledge of anatomy and leverage are used to work against an opponent.
But the 1980 graduate of Manor High School has no intention of giving up his day job as a high voltage lineman for Virginia Power to pursue a career in law enforcement. Instead he plans to start a business on the side as a bodyguard.
Even before receiving any ``official'' training, Melchor helped guard visiting entertainers like jazz artist Herbie Hancock; Treach, the lead singer for ``Naughty By Nature;'' and Christopher Williams, who appeared in the movie ``New Jack City.''
Melchor also helps with security when top officials of the NAACP come to town. During the association's regional conference last year, he served as an escort to the Rev. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., who was then the executive director.
In fact, Melchor himself is very active in the NAACP, serving as a first vice president of the Portsmouth branch and as state treasurer. Locally he is in charge of labor and industry grievances.
``I'm more of a lay advocate,'' Melchor said. ``I decide whether I should send something to our legal counsel, who handles all the cases.''
Melchor has been a part of the association for five years.
``It all got started from just wanting to be a part of an organization that had helped me in my lifetime and basically paved the way for the opportunities that I have today,'' he said.
``The NAACP, with all the marches and the legal demonstrations that they did, made my life easier as an African-American young man growing up. So I wanted to give back to the organization that helped me.''
Name: Brian Frank Melchor
Nickname: ``Melco''
Neighborhood: Cavalier Manor
Number of years in Portsmouth: Portsmouth native
Birthplace: Portsmouth
Birthdate: 9-5-62
Occupation: Lineman with Virginia Power and personal protection specialist (bodyguard)
What job other than your own would you like? United States Secret Service (protection detail)
Marital status: Single
Children: None
Fondest childhood memory: Riding my minibike with my buddies through the woods around Crystal Lake in Cavalier Manor
First concert: Earth, Wind and Fire, 1977, Frank D. Lawrence Stadium
What song or book title best describes your life? ``Mr. Bachelor,'' a song by the group Loose Ends
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? Anything my mother's heart would desire
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Colin Powell because he's a prime example of what hard work and determination can do for anyone
Biggest accomplishment: Completion of Clifford Stewart's ``Within Arm's Reach'' program for certified bodyguards
Most embarrassing moment: At a school sock hop dance - didn't know I had a hole in my sock until my buddy told me
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My height - I'd like to be about 6-foot-6.
Perfect way to spend the day: Just relaxing with nothing to do
I can't resist: My mother's chicken and dumplings
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Large Brothers Cafe on High Street
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Club De Porres at 901 High St. My grandfather was first president.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Race relations
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
That more people pitch in to help with community schools
To help the police department get a better plan to combat crime
For City Council to have all the money they need for funding
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? The people here are down to earth ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Brian Melchor
by CNB