After leaving the Military I came to Arizona to study at the University of Arizona in Tucson where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Geosciences. I fell in love with Arizona! I wanted to further my education and left for post graduate study in England. While there, I met my husband John, a small business owner, and soon afterwards began working as a radio producer for the BBC. We moved back to the United States, and as a member of AMVETS, I became an advocate for veteran women's issues and homeless and disabled veterans - fighting the corruption and fraud that is currently trying to disenfranchise veterans at the Pacific Branch of the National Home for Disabled Veteran Soldiers, a cause I am still committed to.

Once I had my two girls, I knew the only place I wanted to raise my family was in Arizona, a state that prides itself on fierce independence, love of country, and strong sense of community.