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Susan K. Starr

Susan K. Starr

SPHR, SHRM-SCP

Human Resources Manager

When Susan is not busy with HR responsibilities, she can often be found sailing in the Tampa Bay area. She has been sailing for almost 2 decades, participating in regattas as racing crew and cruising with friends. Susan shares her enthusiasm for sailing as a volunteer with Sailability Greater Tampa Bay, helping to make sailing accessible for all. She recently participated in a Sailability project that provided kids in wheelchairs their first sailing experience!

Susan’s other passion is travel. She has been to almost 20 countries, often traveling solo with just a small backpack. She loves experiencing new cultures and meeting new people, staying in touch with some who have become friends. Her travels have ranged from the Azores to Crete to all 7 of the United Arab Emirates. Her recent travels include Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Nova Scotia. She is planning her next trip to visit friends in the Netherlands and Turkey.

Since Susan loves adventure, you may not be surprised to learn that she joined the U.S. Air Force shortly after her 17th birthday! She spent 10 years in the Air Force as a buyer and contract administrator, living in Colorado, Alaska, Texas, Spain, and Maine. Susan left the Air Force after serving in Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield and settled in Maine.

Susan spent the next 10 years of her career as a social worker providing case management, residential treatment and family mediation services for kids with mental health and substance abuse issues. Although she loved this work and the Maine winters (yes- really!), she relocated to Lakeland in 2005.

Susan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from the University of Maine. She completed her certificate in Human Resources at the University of South Florida. She is a Senior Certified Professional through the Society of HR Management, and a Senior Professional in HR through the HR Certification Institute.

Susan joined CPS as the HR Manager when Baylis & Company and CPS merged in December 2020. As an HR Generalist with more than 15 years of experience, she handles the full range of HR services including compliance, benefits administration, and payroll.  Susan has implemented HR technology solutions to streamline processes for the staff and management team. She also provides some HR services and consulting for the Firm’s clients.