Ozarks Profile: Susan Hicks

What is your job?

Co-owner, The Computer Training Center.

Tell us about your organization.

The Computer Training Center teaches software classes to businesses and individuals. It also provides application design such as database development and on-site consulting. Hicks' partner, Christi Knies, started The Computer Training Center nearly 10 years ago in Arkansas. "The Computer Training Center officially started in June of '91 in Fayetteville, Ark. We have branches in Fayetteville, Bentonville and Fort Smith in Arkansas. I work with the branch in Springfield, which we've had since 1995. We teach Microsoft Office, Lotus, WordPerfect, QuickBooks, to name a few. We teach everything from the beginning level to the most advanced level of classes." The Computer Training Center's Springfield location has four employees.

What is your educational background?

Hicks holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville, which she received in 1981. She received an MBA from the same school in 1987. After moving to Springfield in 1992, she received a business education teaching certificate from Southwest Missouri State University.

What jobs led you to your current one?

"I didn't start out to own my own business. After college I went to work in Tulsa, Okla., for Gulf Oil. My business partner, Christi, was involved with a computer dealership which needed an instructor, so I moved back to Fayetteville to teach in 1984. I moved to Springfield to get married in 1990." Hicks taught office systems classes at Ozarks Technical Community College and Draughon Business College, then went to SMSU to obtain a teaching certificate to teach in public schools. Hicks' business partner founded The Computer Training Center in Arkansas in 1991, and Hicks traveled to Arkansas about once a month to teach classes there. In 1995, the two decided to open a center in Springfield.

Give us some personal information.

Hicks is 41 and has lived in Springfield for 10 years. She is married to Rudy, who is a co-owner of Bradley Motor Company. She has two stepdaughters and four stepgrandchildren. "My husband and I work really long hours, so what time we have to spare we spend relaxing on our farm in Boaz." Hicks said she also sings in the choir at Clever United Methodist Church.

What books are you reading?

Hicks is reading three books: "Big Stone Gap," by Adriana Trigiana; "Winter Solstice," by Rosamunde Pilcher; and "Beginning Access 2000 VBA" by Robert Smith and David Sussman, which, Hicks said "one of my dedicated instructors recommended to me. He read it three times, even on vacation."

Compiled by Melissa Wilson