For many years I was a stay at home mom, I finally graduated from college when I was 40 years old. As my daughters grew older, they loved to remind me that I always admonished them to “finish what you started” but that I hadn’t finished college. So I went back to school and graduated from Valley City State University in Valley City, North Dakota in 1990.

Since graduation, I have spent 18 years providing executive level support to business owners. When I quit my corporate job in 2005 to work with my husband I decided that I wanted to also work with my own clients. It was at that point I learned about AssistU and was accepted into their program. I now have the freedom to work with the clients that I choose and do the work I love. Working together with my husband and my own clients is a very smooth transition. His business is agricultural, so we are busy in the Spring and Summer then things get very quiet for the balance of the year. I am able to arrange my time to do the work that I enjoy.

My qualifications

I am a member of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). In 1997 I sat for the Certified Professional Secretary® (CPS) exam which is administered by the Certification Department of the IAAP. The CPS is a three part exam that includes office systems and technology, office administration, communications, business finance, legal issues, and management. In 2001 I sat for the Certified Administrative Professional® (CAP) exam. The CAP covers advanced organizational management and is an objective test that digs into a deeper understanding and use of the knowledge found in the CPS exam. These two certifications require continuing education and recertification every five years. I recertified in 2006.

I graduated from the AssistU Virtual Training Program in 2006 and took the AuthorSmart Author’s Assistant course in 2008.

I am an insatiable reader, and always have at least one book going at all times.

On the personal side, I have been married to my husband Rudy for 36 years, we have two daughters and three grandsons who are the light of my life.