She received her degree in mechanical engineering (1981) and was commissioned an officer through Air Force ROTC.
Her husband John is a highly decorated USAF fighter pilot, among his medals are a Purple Heart and 7 Flying Crosses.
They returned to South Carolina in 1988 and Dyer worked as a pilot at FedEx for the past 20 years, currently[when?]
Incumbent Congressman J. Gresham Barrett ran for Governor of South Carolina, leaving an open seat.
Dyer campaigned on creating clean-tech jobs, improving public education, and supporting military veterans.