Sharon graduated from Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology in 1982. She attended E. W. Sparrow Hospital’s internship program. Her first job was at Foote Memorial Hospital where she worked in all areas of the laboratory as a third shift medical technologist and in the concentrated areas of chemistry and blood bank on first shift. She was an instructor for the medical technology students and designed the chemistry curriculum. In 1986, she began her career with the American Red Cross in Lansing, MI as a medical technologist testing all blood donations for ABO, enzymes, viral markers and serologic tests. She attained increasing positions of responsibility including Laboratory Processing Coordinator, Senior Technologist, Assistant Director of Technical Services, Director of Technical Services and Director of Manufacturing. In 2004, she was named Chief Operating Officer, a position she retains today. As COO, Sharon is responsible for the collection, processing and distribution of blood products throughout the State of Michigan. The American Red Cross, Great Lakes Region collects 700 donations per day and has an annual collection of 173,000 units. It services >70 hospitals located in both the lower and upper peninsulas. Sharon oversees 400+ staff located in 5 different Michigan cities. As a member of the executive leadership team, she is responsible for strategic planning, a multi-million dollar budget and operational efficiency of all locations. She recently led a national project that re-designed the inventory management and distribution of blood products at all Red Cross centers located throughout the United States.

In 2000, Sharon received her Masters Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University. In 2003, she became an adjunct professor for Michigan State University teaching in the Masters Program for Laboratory Operations.

Sharon lives in Eaton Rapids with her husband David and three children. She is very active in the Eaton Rapids school district volunteering on a school-wide improvement committee, band boosters, finance committee, administrative interview committee, American Cancer Society Relay for Life and soccer coach.