Board Member Spotlights 

• Bio

My husband and I have lived in Otsego County (near the Pigeon River Country State Forest) for over 30 years.  I had a 35+ career in community and economic development.  This involved working with communities and businesses to determine what they wanted to do to develop and grow.  I loved my job because I got to know many different people in communities throughout northern Michigan and the eastern UP.   My last position was as manager of the Gaylord Area Council for the Arts.  Photography is my life-long hobby.  It helps me tap into my artistic side while giving me the incentive to travel, meet new people and enjoy the outdoors.  Since I retired, I’ve been doing more volunteering for various organizations, including serving on the Pigeon River Country Discovery Center Steering Committee.

• What do you love about Otsego County?

First and foremost, Otsego County is a very caring place.  Having worked with many communities throughout my career, I’ve found that this is not true in all towns.  When I moved here, I was amazed at the number of organizations that are driven by volunteers striving to make this a better community for all. I also appreciate that this area has many of the benefits of living in a larger, more urban area while retaining its small-town friendliness.  And lastly, I truly enjoy the natural beauty found here and the easy access to outdoor recreation.

• Why did you say YES to the OCF?

I watched from the outside as the OCF grew from a small, obscure organization into the powerhouse it has become.  I think the staff and board have done a phenomenal job in growing into an organization that not only helps the community through philanthropic giving but also connects organizations with one another and to the constituents that need their assistance.  I will be proud to be connected with this group.   

• Bio

I was born and raised in Gaylord until our family moved to Charlevoix when I was in 6th grade. After completing my MBA and a few years of corporate experience, I moved back to Gaylord in 2019 to join our family business, Catt Development. Part of my Great Grandpa’s mission statement for our company is community involvement and philanthropy, which I hope to continue through the fourth generation.

Along with serving on OCF’s board of directors and investment committee, I enjoy my involvement as a Rotarian, serving as President of the Gaylord Quarterback Club and assisting in coaching with the Gaylord Football Program.

• What do you love about Otsego County?

The easy answer is the golf courses, but I love how Otsego County still has a small-town feel. Our community is filled with people that will go out of their way to help others.

• Why did you say YES to the OCF?

The leadership by Dana and her team during the COVID pandemic and the aftermath of the tornado was inspiring. They’re continuously maximizing their limited resources with the clear objective of improving Otsego County.

• Bio

Hi! My name is Avery Huston. I’m a junior at Johannesburg Lewiston High School. I don’t know where I’m going to college yet, but I want to be a motivational speaker & inspire people to do good in life. I’m the daughter of Shawn & Wendy Huston and a sister to Parker Huston. I play volleyball, ski, and golf. I’m involved in many different organizations such as Otsego Community Foundation, Youth Advisory Committee (Treasurer), RISE in Northern Michigan, Student Government (Vice President), student mentor, Robotics (Marketing Director), always volunteering my time in Lewiston, and the Gaylord communities. I’m a ski instructor and tubing ticket associate at Treetops. My summers are very packed with babysitting and multiple camps such as L.A.B Camp @ Northwood University, L.A @ Lake Ann Camp, CADCA, RISE Camps.
 

• What do you love about Otsego County?

Although I live in Lewiston, I love Otsego County!  It’s a beautiful gem of Northern Michigan.  Otsego County is full of life with lots of love to give. Besides its amazing people, there are so many beautiful places to visit and enjoy.  We have great stores and restaurants and a ton of outdoor activities like hiking, boating, fishing, and more.

• Why did you say YES to the OCF?

I love to get involved and help out the community; I’m involved in a lot with youth. So why not share what I know about youth in our community with the adults who can help us get the goods and services we need? To get my name out there so that people know I have helping hands.  I come from a family that firmly believes in community and giving back to others.

• Bio

I was born and raised in northern Michigan on a Dairy farm in Herron near Alpena. I attended Ferris State University and received a bachelor’s degree in Health Information Management Administration. Following graduation, I worked in Pontiac for a year and decided northern Michigan was where I belonged. I began working at Otsego Memorial Hospital in 1991. I enjoyed a 30-year career in Health Information (aka Medical Records). I built relationships with knowledgeable, talented healthcare workers in the community. I am currently working as a remote Clinical Development Analyst with 3M Health Information Systems remotely. Although it is quite a different role from my director position, I am learning different skills, and it is rewarding. I am in my second term as a trustee on the Johannesburg Lewiston Area Schools Board and a 2018 graduate of Leadership Otsego County. I am married to Doug, retired from the Gaylord City Police, and is currently active on the coaching staff at JLAS. We have three grown children whom all live and work in Otsego County.

• What do you love about Otsego County?

The entire family enjoys the outdoors and the opportunities for year around activities that change with the seasons; hunting, fishing, kayaking, boating, x-country skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding, and walking, just to name a few. The landscape and lakes make Otsego County a beautiful place to live.

• Why did you say YES to the OCF?

I served on the governance committee for a year, where I learned more about the Foundation. I have seen the generosity of the community through the Tornado recovery response. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a small part of making a substantial impact on Otsego County.

• Bio

I moved to Gaylord 8 years ago from Rhode Island to settle down with my soon-to-be husband in his hometown. My professional background is in manufacturing process engineering. Now, I split my time between working in the family business, Monarch Millwork and raising our two boys, ages 4 and 5.

• What do you love about Otsego County?

I love the sense of community in Otsego County. There’s a lot going on, and residents are committed to getting out and enjoying all four seasons. I love the hidden gem of the Community Garden, the wealth of resources offered by the library, and the variety of activities to find at the Sportsplex, to name a few of our favorite community spots. It’s a great place to raise our family.

 Why did you say YES to the OCF?

I joined the OCF board to become more involved in the community and learn about philanthropy. Not knowing what to expect, I have been humbled to witness the generosity of donors in our community, the essential work our local nonprofits do daily, and the leadership the OCF provides by bringing both together to move the needle forward on critical issues in our community.

It is an honor to work alongside other OCF board members, staff, and volunteers in efforts to improve the place we live.

• Bio

My family and I consider ourselves to be very privileged to live in Otsego County.  I am a 3rd generation resident who returned home shortly after college.  Upon return, I met and married my wife, Liz, who also grew up in Gaylord.  Together, we have four amazing children and two beautiful grandchildren.  We love belonging to a community that has been so instrumental in shaping each of us.

• What do you love about Otsego County?

We love everything about Otsego County- the abundant and pristine natural resources, the caring and connected community, the rich history, and our bright future.

 Why did you say YES to the OCF?

I said yes to the OCF because of the diversity of representation it offers in our community. Whether defined by board or committee, donor or recipient, this organization represents a true sample of everything Otsego County. All voices are heard, and all causes matter.

• Bio

• Brian was born and raised in Gaylord, attending Gaylord St. Mary’s school for 12 years, loving the school, sports, and people he met there. Brian attended Western Michigan University and met his eventual wife, Kim, while at WMU. Go Broncos! Beat those chips!
• After college, Brian and Kim worked in various roles at Honda, Lucent, Delphi, and General Motors in mostly the Information Technology space.
• Fifteen years ago, they were blessed with their first daughter, and when Kim became a full-time at-home mom, Brian felt God calling him into full-time Christian ministry. After obtaining a Biblical Studies degree from Rochester University, Brian was hired by a church in Kalamazoo, Michigan as the Middle School Youth Director.
• Never believing they would live back in Gaylord after being “absent” for the better part of 23 years, God called them to the E-Free Church as the Church Administrator. Brian has been on staff since October 2017 and takes care of staff, financial matters, facility, I.T., and strategic planning, and loves volunteering in the Children’s ministry wherever his wife (the Children’s Ministry Director) asks him!
• Brian and Kim have six kids ranging from 29 – 7 years old. They have been blessed to have two of the children come through the foster system and have been adopted into their family! They also recently added their first grandchild in 2022, which they get to care for from time to time when their oldest daughter and son-in-law are traveling for work. Some of their kids go to Gaylord High School, some St. Mary’s, and some are homeschooled! We love and support all the educational options in Northern Michigan.

• What do you love about Otsego County?

• Otsego County has become “home” for us again after being gone for so long. We love having a place where we can raise our family that can be outside in nature, yet have the creature comforts of Chinese Buffet, Hobby Lobby, and Aldi to name a few of our favorite places!
• Since being back, I have learned so much of what the community has to offer that I did not grasp as a child growing up here. There are so many opportunities for people to connect and grow their families. We look forward to having Otsego County be “home” for the rest of our lives if that is in God’s plan for our family. We hope to see our grandchildren either grow up or visit us here!

 Why did you say YES to the OCF?

• I was immediately attracted to the leadership style and professionalism of the OCF and knew my time would be valued. I really appreciate the structure and am learning so much from the OCF.
• I see such great potential for how the OCF can be not just a philanthropic organization that is greatly needed but also a “Hub” for community awareness.
• I believe what we see the OCF as now is just a fraction of what it will be leading in the years to come.

• Bio

• I believe smiles are contagious and wonderful to spread around. I treasure family time and put my heart into my job, and the community is where I find the reasons and passion to work harder and try to learn more and grow every day.

• What do you love about Otsego County?

• I love the small-town feeling that there are families that have been here for generations and built strong foundations but happily welcome new community members. The combination of history, new ideas, and active community members brings great opportunities.

 Why did you say YES to the OCF?

• I love that the OCF connects the dots, bringing the nonprofits together with donors to better understand and provide services in the community. A one-stop shop where a donation can make a huge impact.