Susan came to the Central Texas area via the US Army when she was first stationed at Fort Hood in 1977 with the 6th Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat). After transferring to Germany in 1980, she returned to Fort Hood and was stationed with the 1st Cavalry Division in 1983. In 1986, she exited the Army and transitioned to the Individual Ready Reserve until 1989. She has lived in the Central Texas Area for a total of 38 years.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Central Texas in 1990 (now Texas A&M University-Central Texas) and a Master of Public Administration degree from Troy State University in 1993.