Tammy was born in Niagara Falls, Sept. 1962, and moved to Hudson Falls with her family in 1965. Tammy has two brothers, Michael (’80) and Ronald (RJ) (’87). She attended Maple St. School K-5, Jr High School (6-8), and Sr. High School (9-12) at Hudson Falls. She earned her varsity letters in field hockey and swimming. Upon graduation in 1980, she attended Niagara University.
Tammy swam at Niagara during her freshman year then competed for an Army ROTC Scholarship. As an ROTC Cadet, she graduated in May 1984 with a BS in Chemistry, ACS approved, and became a 2LT in the Army Reserves.
Upon graduation, she attended Chemical Corps Officer Basic (OBC) then returned home to attend a master’s program at Roswell Park. While attending college, Tammy began her career as an analytical chemist working near Love Canal in Niagara Falls. Simultaneously, she began her career as a 2LT teaching Nuclear, Biological, Chemical defense courses.
Tammy transferred to the NY Army National Guard in 1986 to become a Medical Service Corps Officer. She attended Medical OBC in 1987, graduating in the top ten. Tammy served as a platoon leader, executive officer then commander for the 646 Medical Company on Warren St. in Glens Falls until May 1995.
In May 1995, Tammy as transferred as a chemical officer to the 42nd Infantry Division Headquarters in Troy. She worked on developing and executing plans for both state and federal missions starting as Captain. In May 2005, as a Lieutenant Colonel, Tammy was activated as sent to Iraq serving as the Division Chemical Officer in Tikrit, Iraq for Task Force Liberty. While deployed, she was attached to the 11th Armor Cavalry Regiment, serving in Mosul, Iraq as the Secretary to the General Staff for Task Force Freedom. Upon her return, Tammy became the Comptroller for the 42nd ID and deployed for Operation Brightstar in Egypt. In Sept. 2008, Tammy took command of 2/106 RTI in Peekskill, NY. She was activated in July 2011 to command the 27th IBCT Rear Det. While elements of the 27th were deployed to Afghanistan. Tammy retired from the NYARNG in June 2014 as a Colonel. While serving in the NYARNG, Tammy was activated for state missions including 9/11, Y2K, 1991 Woodstock, Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy.
Tammy Earned her MS in Education at SUNY Plattsburg, in December 1993. She teaches chemistry at South High. She earned her National Board Certification in 2002 and is a NYS Master Teacher. She has taught at South High since 1996. She serves on several committees and is the Key Club advisor.
Tammy resides in South Glens Falls with her husband, Kenneth Hicks. Between them they have four children: Miles and Jordan Lee Mandwelle of NYC: Kevin Hicks of Glens Falls and Jaime Hicks of Gansevoort. They have three grandchildren.