Alma Theis is a native of Santa Barbara. She attended Franklin Elementary, Santa Barbara Jr. High and La Cuesta.  Alma has enjoyed traveling and has lived overseas in Bangkok, Thailand with her husband Bob and children Manuel, Marisa, and Tiffany Theis.

Her main interests are her children and family that include her mother Francisca, sisters Linda and Lucie and many nieces and nephews as well as her family at César Chávez Charter School.