Susan’s Bio

Why I’m Running

“As a resident of LMBT for most of my life, I have worked and will continue to work to preserve the beautiful rural character of our township without creating undue tax burdens for township residents. Building on demonstrated successes over the past 12 years, I will continue to advocate for farmland preservation through partnerships and grant programs. I will promote community collaborations to expand and improve safety programs, recreation opportunities and township-wide events.”

Background
I was born and raised in Lower Mount Bethel Township. I graduated from Bangor Area Senior High School in 1982, and Marquette University (Milwaukee, WI) in 1986 with a degree in Political Science. At Marquette, I was a member of the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), and upon graduation I was commissioned an officer in the United States Navy. I was selected as one of only four women in the country that year to attend Naval Surface Warfare Officer School after commissioning.

Past and Current Occupations
I was an officer in the U.S. Navy for nearly eight years. I served on the submarine tender USS Orion (AS-18) in Sardinia, Italy. After my tour on the Orion, I was stationed in Washington, DC, first at the Bureau of Naval Personnel and then at the Pentagon in the Navy’s White House Liaison Office. Following my naval service, I worked for several years at the Points of Light Foundation in Washington, DC where I managed a program that assisted communities nationwide in training volunteers to assist in natural disaster recovery efforts. I returned home to Lower Mount Bethel Township and worked for the American Heart Association until May of 2000 when I became a contract and grant specialist in Lehigh University’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. I am currently the Associate Director of that office, which financially manages Lehigh’s annual ~$25 million research enterprise.

Experience
From the time I joined the Navy ROTC program in 1982 through my current position at Lehigh University, I have been the fortunate recipient of extensive leadership, management, and financial training and opportunities. In all of these roles, I have also gained a keen understanding that the best result in any task is achieved through input from diverse perspectives, listening, and open dialogue. These principles have been particularly effective as I have served on various LMBT committees. In 2004 I became a founding member of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC), and was later appointed to the Planning Commission. I was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2008, and served as either the Chair or Vice-Chair of the Board for 11 years.

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