Work Life

Carma served on active duty in the uniformed services for 21 years and retired in 2017 at the rank of Commander. She first served in the U.S. Air Force for two tours from 1996 to 2003. At Keesler Air Force Base, she was a clinical dietitian in the hospital and worked in inpatient, outpatient, nutrition support, and pediatric specialty clinic settings. At Tyndall Air Force Base, she was the Nutrition Programs Manager and provided all outpatient and wellness programming for the base, to include prenatal, diabetes, weight management classes, cooking demos, and individual nutrition counseling. While at Tyndall AFB, she won the Company Grade Officer of the Quarter Award and earned an incentive ride in an F-15 fighter jet.

In 2003, she transferred her commission to the U.S. Public Health Service, The Surgeon General's Corps, and worked in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service. She worked in Chicago (2003-2006) as an Enforcement Officer and conducted in-depth food safety audits at meat and poultry slaughter, processing and canning plants. Then she was a Regional Public Health Trainer (2006-2017) based in Atlanta, GA, and traveled the U.S. conducting 1-4 week, in-depth, regulatory training for Agency employees serving in Food Inspector, Consumer Safety Officer, Enforcement Officer, Compliance Investigator, and Public Health Veterinarian roles.

The Dancing Chapter

Along the way, she found her passion for latin dancing: salsa, bachata, cha cha cha, and merengue. Over the past 12 years, she danced with the Dancing 4 Fun Bachata team, Stiletto Dance Company, and Elegant Swag ladies team. 

Then Along Came Babies

Waiting for true love also meant waiting to have children. Middle age might not seem the right time for most to begin a family, but now that she's retired from the uniformed services, she can care for her family and be a Stay At Home Mom full time to raise their two children.

All of it brings joy...Except for the potty training, that part is the pits!