PRACTICAL AERONAUTICS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Teaching Associate
- Department of Aeronautics
Dr. Aaron Byerley is a Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Academy (BS in Engineering Mechanics), Stanford University (MS in Mechanical Engineering and MS in Engineering Management), and the University of Oxford, UK (DPhil in Engineering Science). While a cadet, he earned the free fall parachutist badge and flew both gliders and powered aircraft. Dr. Byerley served in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Mercer University but spent most of his career at the U.S. Air Force Academy serving in academic leadership positions (aero department head and associate dean) and as a classroom instructor teaching courses including introductory aeronautical engineering, thermodynamics, gas dynamics, heat transfer, air-breathing propulsion, and the two-semester capstone engineering sequence on the preliminary design of aircraft and propulsion systems. His research activity included turbine heat transfer and aerodynamics and aircraft and propulsion system design education. One of his career highlights occurred in 2017 when he was selected by the graduating seniors for the William H. Heiser Award as the senior instructor who "contributed the most to cadets' personal and intellectual development by inspiring and challenging them to work harder on their academic pursuits" and who "continually and personally demonstrated and promoted the USAF's Core Values of Integrity, Service, and Excellence". He retired from the Academy in December 2020 as Professor Emeritus but remains active in both AIAA and ASME. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Colorado.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- CEO, XP Consulting Services
Dr. Allen L. (AL) Peterson is a 1982 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and holds a MS in Systems Management from USC, a ScD in Management of Engineering and Technology from Northcentral University, a Level III Certification from the Defense Acquisition University, and a Test Pilot Certificate from the US Naval Test Pilot School. He served on active Duty in the Army for over 20 years as an Attack helicopter pilot, a troop commander, an Experimental Test Pilot, an Exchange Test Pilot to Her Majesty's Forces, and a Project Manager. After retiring from active duty, AL served in a variety of senior leadership positions with the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) before taking over as President and CEO of the National Test Pilot School (NTPS) in 2011. While at NTPS, AL led numerous groundbreaking initiatives including NTPS being the first test pilot school (TPS) in the world to attain approval by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and the first TPS in the world to attain accreditation as a Graduate University. He is now spending most of his time on travel adventures around the world with some teaching, consulting, and mentoring thrown in during his spare time. Al has been teaching graduate level classes in flight test engineering and project management for over 20 years both at NTPS and SNC; and in-flight instruction in flight test techniques for over 10 years at NTPS. He has worked on over 80 flight test programs on dozens of different aircraft to include the AH-1, AH-64, UH-60, CH-47, UH-1, Lynx, Gazelle and Sea King. AL is a Fellow in the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and a Life Member of the Society of Flight Test Engineers.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Speaker, Trainer, Consultant, Belonging Specialist and STEM Advocate
Dr. Angela Trego, PE, PMP, FHEA improves technical organizations' ability to retain employees and increase diversity, unlocking their unlimited potential through speaking, training and coaching. In 2018, she was recognized as one of the top teachers at Utah Valley University and won the Faculty Excellence Award where she supported the development of both the mechanical engineering and project management programs. Angela was one of Utah Business's 2010 "30 Women to Watch" and won the "Rising Star" award at the 2009 Women Tech Council celebration. She had taught as an adjunct faculty member at Seattle University, Brigham Young University and the Australian Defence Force Academy. As a senior manager at Varian Medical Systems, she led the research and development group. Previously, Dr. Trego was a director of engineering at ATK Launch Systems developing new rockets and prior to that a principal engineer for Boeing Phantom Works working on corporate wide structural health monitoring programs. Dr. Trego has two patents and is the author of over 90 publications and presentations ranging from the development of passive damping techniques using composites to the development of engaged teaching methodologies. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS, MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Angela is both a licensed professional engineering (Washington State) and a certified project management professional. Angela is an associate fellow member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, executive board of directors for Empower Playgrounds Inc., executive board of SAMPE Utah Chapter, advisory board for the Leonardo museum, previously served on the executive board of the Women Tech Council, as a member of the Engineering Accreditation Commission and the Inclusion, Diversity and Equity committee for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. More information about Angela can be found on her website at www.angelatrego.com.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Teaching Associate
- Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering / Embry - Riddle Aeronautical University
Dr. Brenda Haven has over 30 years of aeronautical systems acquisition, research and development, and teaching experience, much of it within the area of gas turbine engines. She retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2008 after serving as the Deputy Director for the Physics and Electronics Directorate at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. During her 25-year career, she spent 5 years working in the Turbine Engine Division within the Propulsion Directorate at Wright-Patterson AFB and another 8 years teaching thermodynamics and propulsion in the Air Force Academy's Department of Aeronautics. While at the Air Force Academy, she served as the Propulsion Discipline Director and Deputy Department Head. She was named the Outstanding Military Educator in 1993 and served for three years as an adjunct faculty to the Air Force Test Pilot School. After retiring from the Air Force, Brenda joined Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is one of two faculty teaching the propulsion track of the Mechanical Engineering Program. She teaches thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and three propulsion courses, including Propulsion Systems Preliminary Design. She was awarded the College of Engineering's Outstanding Teacher Award and Outstanding Contributor Award. She has also received the campus Distinguished Faculty Award and the President's Special Recognition for Excellence for her exemplary service to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Operations
Dr. Brian A. Tom is Vice President for Operations for Practical Aeronautics. He is a 1991 graduate of the University of California at San Diego, earned Master's degrees from The George Washington University and the Air Force Institute of Technology, a PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is a graduate of the US Air Force Test Pilot School.
A retired Air Force Colonel, Brian has flown more than 2600 hours as a Navigator (Combat Systems Officer) in over 30 aircraft types, serving primarily as a Weapons System Officer as well as Instructor, Evaluator, and Test Navigator on bombers. He has taught at the Air Force Academy, served as the Associate Dean of the Graduate School at the Air Force Institute of Technology, and most recently was the Chief of Safety for the Air Force Test Center. He currently works in flight test in Southern California and regularly flies his own aircraft, a Piper PA-28 Cherokee.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate Professor of Practice Mechanical Engineering Department, Texas a & M University
Affectionately known by his students as "Dr. D", Dale currently teaches undergraduate courses in Engineering Mechanics and Mechanics of Materials for the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University. Dr. Cope is a retired Air Force officer with over 20 years of experience in aircraft structures, as an engineer, instructor, and maintenance officer. His engineering experience spans the fields of design, liaison, and structural analysis. He worked in the research area of aircraft structural integrity, performing airworthiness evaluations on civilian and military aircraft ranging from general aviation commuter airplanes to large military transport and bomber aircraft. His practical experience included serving as the engineer on an aircraft battle damage repair team during Operation Desert Storm. Dale has held teaching positions for the Aeronautics department at the US Air Force Academy, the Aerospace Engineering department at Wichita State University, and the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He has taught a variety of courses ranging from Fundamentals of Aeronautics to Aerospace Structural Analysis and Design. His teaching experience includes conducting seminars on aircraft structural repair for practicing engineers from Air Logistics Centers, Air Force Laboratories, and the aircraft industry. Drawing from his practical experience as an engineer working for Boeing, the National Institute for Aviation Research, and Southwest Research Institute, Dale is able to relate complex engineering concepts to real world applications. He recently became an FAA certified Remote Pilot, and conducts aerial surveys for Texas A&M AgriLife Research using drones.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Business Development
Dr John Wissler is PAI's Vice President for Business Development. A retired USAF Colonel, his 30-year Air Force career included being the Deputy Director of Engineering at Electronic Systems Center, Hanscom AFB, MA and Director of the Air Force Research Laboratory's (AFRL) Air Vehicles Directorate and Chief of AFRL's Battlespace Environments Division. He taught fluid mechanics and thermodynamics analysis and design at the US Air Force Academy and directed the Academy's Aeronautics Laboratory. John also served as a flight test engineer at Kirtland AFB, NM. After the Air Force, he worked at Aurora Flight Sciences for almost 11 years winning and managing ground-breaking aviation and autonomy programs, retiring in 2022 as Aurora's Director of Business Development.
John has a PhD in Aeronautics from Caltech, an MS in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, a Master's of Strategic Studies from the Army War College, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland. He is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a member of Sigma Xi, the Air Force Association, the Military Officers Association of America, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He has earned numerous awards for leadership, including Company Grade Officer of the Year in 1993 for Kirtland AFB, and especially enjoys mentoring and teaching.
He is an FAA-licensed private pilot who is working on his instrument rating, flying out of Hanscom Field outside Boston.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Teaching Associate
- Owner and Chief Engineer, Classic Engineering, LLC
John Blanton is a native of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and received BS, MS, and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech. He was employed with the General Electric Company for 36 years, including stints at the Global Research Center and at GE Gas Turbine in Schenectady NY, at GE Aviation in Cincinnati OH, and at GE Power in Greenville SC. He currently is the Owner and Chief Engineer of Classic Engineering, LLC, which offers technical education and consulting services in gas turbine technologies. Dr. Blanton has 40+ years design, management, and consulting experience in gas turbine heat transfer and secondary air systems design and analysis. He is recognized as an international expert in the performance analysis of labyrinth seals, and developed the GE analysis code used for this purpose. Dr. Blanton is a lifelong member and passionate supporter of ASME and AIAA, and is a Fellow of both organizations. He has received the ASME Dedicated Service Award, the AIAA Sustained Service Award and the AIAA Distinguished Service Award. Most recently, he was inducted into the Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering Society of Distinguished Alumni. Dr. Blanton has also been very active in engineering education. He has been an Instructor or Adjunct Professor at Virginia Tech, Union College, and the University of Cincinnati.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Curator for Aerodynamics, National Air and Space Museum ( NASM ) and Professor, University of Maryland
Dr. John D. Anderson, Jr. earned his PhD from The Ohio State University and is currently the Curator for Aerodynamics at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum (NASM). He served as an Air Force officer at Wright-Patterson AFB and later chaired the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland. John occupied the Charles Lindbergh Chair at the NASM from 1986-1987. He's published ten books, ranging from Gasdynamic Lasers: An Introduction to Aircraft Performance and Design. He's won the joint American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and American Society of Engineering Educators "Lee Atwood Award" for excellence in aerospace engineering education and AIAA's "Pendray Award" for aerospace literature. John is an Honorary Fellow of the AIAA and a Fellow of both The Royal Aeronautical Society and the Washington Academy of Sciences.
Dr. Keith M. Boyer retired from the Air Force as a Colonel in 2012 after serving as Associate Dean for Students at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). He started his Air Force career in 1979 as an enlisted electronic warfare (EW) maintainer on B-52 aircraft and EW instructor. His varied aircraft and engine experience includes hands-on flight line and back shop maintenance, test and analysis, sustainment and depot maintenance, systems engineering, logistics and supply chain management, multinational requirements management, and advisory roles in Iraq and to the USAF Propulsion Product Group Manager.
Keith taught for ten years in the Air Force Academy's Department of Aeronautics, and served in numerous positions including Director of Propulsion and Deputy Department Head. He was awarded Outstanding First Year Instructor, Outstanding Academy Educator and the Heiser Award as Outstanding Senior Faculty Educator selected by the graduating class of 2007. For seven years, he was adjunct faculty to the Air Force Test Pilot School, where he twice was selected by the students for the Flight Test Instructor of the Quarter award.
From 1996-2009, Keith developed and taught a variety of jet engine short courses to over 1,000 attendees in support of their professional development. He is co-author of two textbooks with Dr. Jack Mattingly - Elements of Propulsion, Second Edition, and Aircraft Engine Design, Third Edition (with PAI Associates Bill Heiser & Brenda Haven). Both texts are winners of the AIAA Summerfield Book Award. He earned his BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Florida (1987), MS in Aeronautical Engineering from the AFIT (1992), and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech (2001). Keith is a Fellow of the ASME (2021).
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Oklahoma State University
- Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Oklahoma State University
Dr. Kurt Rouser is Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Oklahoma State University. He graduated from the US Air Force Academy in 1995 (BS in Aeronautical Engineering), from Oklahoma State University in 1999 (MS in Aeronautical Engineering), and from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2002 (MS in Aeronautical Engineering) and in 2012 (PhD in Mechanical Engineering). His 21-year Air Force career included assignments as an aerospace propulsion intelligence analyst, turbine engine maintenance engineer, KC-135 maintenance engineer and jet engine test squadron operations officer. During his 8 years on the Air Force Academy faculty, he taught thermodynamics and aircraft engine design and served his final 2 years as Deputy Associate Dean for Educational Innovation. His accolades include Air Force Director of Propulsion Engineer of the Year, Outstanding Academy Educator and recipient of the Academy Frank J. Seiler Award for Faculty Research Excellence. After retiring as an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel in 2016, he started his current faculty position, teaching and researching aerospace propulsion and power.
Job Titles:
- Aeronautical Engineering Consultant
Job Titles:
- Founder, Scientific Monitoring, Inc
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Chief Engineer, Strategic Systems, BAE Systems, Inc
Dr. Scott Nowlin is a 1992 Distinguished Graduate in Aeronautics from the US Air Force Academy. He earned an M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a Ph.D. in Engineering Science from Oriel College, University of Oxford, U.K. He is a US Air Force Pilot Training graduate and a retired Air Force Colonel with over 24 years of service. He has over 750 hours as an aircrew member in 5 different aircraft, serving primarily as a flight test engineer for the US Air Force Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate and Airborne Laser Program. At the Air Force Academy, he served as an Assistant Professor, where he was awarded Outstanding First Year Instructor, Systems Engineering Program Director, and Aeronautics Department Deputy Head. He also served as the Air Force Budget Program Element Monitor for Sensors and Technology Transition for the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisitions). Most recently, he was the Deputy Director of Engineering for the Air Force Sustainment Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. He currently works as the Chief Engineer for Strategic Systems for BAE Systems, Inc.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Principal, Engineering Systems, Inc., Manager of Colorado Operations
Dr. Steven L. Morris, P.E. is a 1975 United States Air Force Academy graduate and retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel. Steve has an MS and PhD in aerospace engineering. He's currently a Principal for Engineering Systems, Inc. and Manager of Colorado Operations. He previously served as the Deputy Head of the Air Force Academy's Department of Aeronautics - in 1991, Steve won the department's "Outstanding Military Educator Award". He has nearly 30 years of experience in aeronautical engineering, including four years as adjunct faculty to the Air Force's Test Pilot School (TPS). He's a two-time winner of TPS's "Robert L. Wenning Outstanding Academic Instructor Award." He's an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), has served on various AIAA committees, and is a and co-author of an Introduction to Aircraft Flight Mechanics, winner of AIAA's 2006 Summerfield Book Award.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Expert
- Founder and President of Bluberry, LLC
Dr. Walter Merrill is a recognized expert with over 40 years of experience in aero-propulsion controls, multivariable control, fault detection and high temperature electronics. He is the founder and President of Bluberry LLC, which provides high temperature electronics for gas turbine engines. Walt also was Vice President with Scientific Monitoring, Inc., where he directed health monitoring and engine controls projects. His experience includes 30 years with the NASA Glenn Research Center. At NASA he was the Chief of the Instrumentation and Controls Division and won the NASA Medal for Exceptional Engineering. He also was the Director of the Glennan Microsystems Initiative which was a government/industry/academia collaboration to foster innovation in microsystems for harsh environments. Under his leadership, several startup companies were launched as a result of this initiative. Dr. Merrill has won the General Motors Institute Alumni Association Engineering Excellence Award and an R&D 100 Award given by Research Development Magazine. He has over 100 publications in controls, diagnostics and electronics. He holds a Ph.D. degree in Control Systems from Toledo University, an MSEE from Auburn University and a BSEE from General Motors Institute. Walt has been an Adjunct Professor at Akron University, Cleveland State University and Toledo University.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Member of the Experimental Aircraft Association 's Speakers Bureau
Dr. Wayne F. Hallgren is a 1975 graduate of West Point, retired Air Force Colonel, and Founder of Practical Aeronautics. He co-founded Hallgren Associates in 2002 - now merged with Practical Aeronautics, he's continuing his passion for teaching and learning.
Job Titles:
- Vice President for Aeronautics
John Norton is PAI's Vice President for Aeronautics, and is a 1982 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. A retired Air Force Colonel, his Air Force experience includes flight operations in the C-130 aircraft as well as Operational Test & Evaluation and operational leadership in the C-17 aircraft. He also served in various command and staff positions including Vice Commander of the Air Force's largest combat Wing in Southwest Asia, and in his final assignment was the Air Force Academy's Director of Character and Leadership Development.
Job Titles:
- Teaching Associate
- Flight Test Consultant
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Teaching Associate
- Aviation and Mission Engineering Consultant
Carl Hawkins is a 1979 US Air Force Academy graduate with a MS in Aeronautics from MIT and a MS in Management from Golden Gate University. A former USAF test pilot, flying squadron commander, and Delta Airlines Captain, Carl has over 10,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft including experience as an instructor or fully mission qualified pilot in the F-15, F-111, F-4, T-38, T-41, C-23, and Boeing 757/767. Currently, he is a crew station design and virtual simulation consultant for Northrop Grumman and a mission engineering consultant at the Space Warfare Analysis Center. Previously, Carl served as assistant professor in USAFA's Department of Aeronautics, staff instructor at the USAF Test Pilot School, an undergraduate pilot training instructor, and civilian university instructor. He is also an Associate Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) and a graduate of numerous service schools and training programs including Air War College and Defense Systems Management College.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Teaching Associate
- Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics
Craig Seymour is a 1977 Distinguished Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, and a Past President of Practical Aeronautics. A former Instructor Pilot and Fighter Squadron Commander, Craig helped pioneer the use of night vision goggles in single seat fighters under combat conditions. He is a Command Pilot with more than 3000 hours in trainer and fighter aircraft and holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating. Craig earned his SM from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, taught aeronautics and thermodynamics at the United States Air Force Academy, and was an adjunct faculty member at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. He retired from the Air Force in 1998 after serving as the Professor of Aerospace Studies at the University of Hawaii.
Craig is a Senior Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and a registered Professional Engineer with the State of Colorado.
Mr. Mark Jones Jr. is a husband, father, experimental test pilot, and mathematician. He is a 1999 Distinguished Graduate from the United States Air Force Academy and an East West Fellow from 1999-2000 at the University of Hawaii. Mark flew the C-17A Globemaster III in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, and he currently flies Remotely Piloted Aircraft for the Air Force Reserve. He was the Outstanding Graduate in Mathematics and received his master's degree from the University of Charleston in 2006. In 2008 he graduated from the United States Air Force Test Pilot School with a master's degree in Flight Test Engineering.
As a civilian Mark consulted for the Department of Defense and various aircraft manufacturers from all over the world. He continues to consult as a Designated Engineering Representative, Flight Test Pilot for the Federal Aviation Administration, and he currently serves on the editorial review board for the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft Operations Handbook. Mark has experience in flying more than 30 kinds of aircraft and holds Airline Transport Pilot and Multi-Engine Instructor certificates. Mark has taught courses as an adjunct faculty, a military instructor pilot, and an experimental test pilot. He is an associate fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and a member of the Vertical Flight Society eVTOL Flight Test Committee, AIAA, the Flight Test Safety Committee, and the Society of Flight Test Engineers.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Teaching Associate
- Director of UAV Flight Research at the USAF Academy
Steve Brandt is a 1990 Graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, a Graduate of the United States Navy Test Pilot School, and a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel. A former Instructor Pilot for the DoD, Steve has experience in flying 30+ aircraft types, instructor pilot experience in 6 different aircraft and over 2800 flight hours, primarily in single seat fighters. Additionally, Steve holds an Airline Transport Pilot rating and a Boeing 747 type rating, having flight tested the Airborne Laser 747 aircraft. Steve earned his MS in Engineering Physics from the University of Texas, and taught aeronautics and flight test at the United States Air Force Academy. Steve concluded his Air Force career as a flight and academic instructor at the United States Navy Test Pilot School, and also taught there as the chief instructor of the aircraft performance branch where he was selected as Instructor of the Year in 2014. Steve transitioned out of the government to begin his own business, BARIT Services, LLC, providing technical and flight support in the UAS research and development arena. He currently leads UAS research in the Department of Aeronautics at the Air Force Academy and provides flight test consulting support to other DoD and commercial agencies. Steve is a senior member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and resides in Colorado Springs, CO.
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations
- Finance
Mrs. Jennifer Ellsworth is the Director of Operations and Finance for Practical Aeronautics. She previously served as the Operations Manager. Jenn graduated from the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs with a degree in Organizational Communication. Her previous experience in Human Resources was largely centered on Recruiting and Workforce Development supporting one of the largest Fortune 500 Retail companies, the Healthcare Industry, and small business Continuing Education classes with Aerospace government and industry professionals. She has also assisted in facilitating Talent Assessments for Fire Personnel in Northern Colorado.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Teaching Associate
Mrs. Mallory Decker is a former Navy helicopter and flight ground school instructor. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, she attended the University of Edinburgh on a Rotary Ambassadorial scholarship, where she earned an MSc in International and European Politics. During her 11 years in the Navy, Mallory gained both fixed wing and rotary wing experience, flying the T-34C, TH-57, and MH-60S Knighthawk (and several small cessnas and pipers). She also worked as a Military Legislative Fellow assigned to the office of Rep. Mike Conway (TX-11) in the U.S. House of Representatives, and on the personal staffs of the three-star Commander of Naval Air Forces and the NATO three-star chief of staff at Allied Command Transformation. As a civilian, Mallory taught MH-60S systems and tactics courses and simulator events to Navy Fleet Replacement Pilots in Norfolk, Virgina. She is currently a PhD candidate in Organizational Behavior at the University of Colorado Boulder. She has a four-year-old son who'd rather fly jets, a one-year-old daughter with the executive leadership skills of an Admiral, and the best copilot of a husband.
Job Titles:
- Director of Materials and Supplies
- Materials and Supplies Director
Susan Norton is PAI's Director of Materials and Supplies. She has a very diverse background in business management that includes manufacturing, construction, food services and office administration. She has also devoted many years to working in special education and speech pathology. Susan enjoys her family, animals, reading, and being outdoors.