Brian Thurston
Age: 38
Occupation: Licensed Environmental Engineer
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Water Bureau – Drinking Water Program – Cadillac
1995 - Present
Married: Karen A. Thurston
Occupation: Homemaker
Children: Kyle Thurston
Age: 16
Zachery Thurston
Age 14
Education: Holton High School
Holton, Michigan
National Honor Society
Michigan State University (1988 – 1993)
B.S. in Civil Engineer (Honors College)
Major: Hydraulics and Hydrology
Michigan State University (1993 – 1998)
Degree: M.S. in Environmental Engineering
Background:
I was born in Muskegon, Michigan and grew up on Maple Island along the Muskegon River. My dad was a foundry worker in Muskegon; he has since retired and is very active enjoying his hobby of fishing. My mom stayed home in my youth; she went back to school in my teens to become a Montessori teacher. She taught preschool and kindergarten at Blue Lake School for the Arts and then went on to open her own school, Montessori Children’s House. I have one older brother, Michael Thurston, who lives in Muskegon and an older sister, Susan Lance, who lives outside of Fremont.
Karen, I and our boys live just outside of Cadillac near the town of Boon. My hobbies include skiing, kayaking, scuba diving, fishing, teaching, hunting, hiking, camping and vacationing with my family. Karen and I have been together for twenty-one years and have been married for the past seventeen years. Karen is my life partner and best friend. I am very lucky to have such a wonderful person to share my life with. My sons and I have become very involved with the Caberfae Peaks Ski Patrol. Kyle is on the Cadillac Ski Team and Cadillac Golf Team.
I am very active member of the Caberfae Peaks Ski Patrol; I am a National Ski Patrol Outdoor Emergency Care Instructor, Ski and Toboggan Instructor, and American Red Cross Heath and Safety Instructor. I am also very involved as a volunteer with teaching recreational safety classes for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. I am the Hunter Education Coordinator for Wexford County and teach Hunter Education, Bow Hunter Education, Snowmobile Safety, Marine Safety, and ORV safety classes.
My entire family is very involved with the Challenge Mountain - Caberfae Peaks Outreach program from coaching and training to maintaining equipment and participating in the program. I have been serving on the Challenge Mountain board of directors since 2008. I currently also serve as a Trustee on the Michigan Section American Water Works Association Board.