Meet the Board 

• 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

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.

• Bio

Originally from metro Detroit, I moved to Gaylord in 2000 after graduating from Adrian College (the only U-Haul in the parking lot at commencement!).  After working for a couple of CPA firms, I bought a CPA practice in Lewiston in 2009 and currently split my time between offices in Gaylord and Lewiston.  Married to Kari for 18 years, we have 3 wonderful children (Robert, Nick, and Ally) who attend St. Mary Cathedral School, and 2 fur babies (Scooby and Ted).  We enjoy family time at the lake, traveling, and enjoying everything that Northern Michigan has to offer.

• What do you love about Otsego County?

When I moved to Otsego County at 21 years old, I didn’t expect that I’d live here for 23 years and counting.  However, Otsego County is a special place where people have a sense of community and recognize that one’s community is an extension of themselves.  I am continually blown away by people’s generosity and commitment to making our community a better place.  Although I dream of the day I can escape the long winters, I don’t ever expect to find another place that compares with the people of Otsego County.

 Why did you say YES to the OCF?

Dana is very persuasive!  I was familiar with the structure of Community Foundations and the benefits to local communities and was excited to be able to get involved with OCF.  Like a lot of other things in our community, I am continually blown away by the passion and commitment of the OCF staff, board, and volunteers.  Seeing the growth of OCF has been very exciting, but nothing compares to seeing the impact on local organizations and individuals that is a direct result of the generosity of the community and the commitment of the OCF and other local not-for-profit organizations.

• Bio

• I am a proud wife and mother of three, deeply rooted in both my family and community. My husband and I take great pride in our children’s accomplishments—Caesen, a CMU graduate, now contributes to our family business, Campbell Farms; Cordel is pursuing a nursing degree at SVSU; and Carlee is studying Speech-Language Pathology at GVSU.

  Professionally, I serve as the Director of Finance for Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools, where I am committed to ensuring responsible financial stewardship in education. I am continually expanding my expertise as a graduate of the Michigan School Business Officials Business Management Academy and the Leadership Institute.

• What do you love about Otsego County?

• Otsego County has been a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. The area offers abundant year-round resources and recreational opportunities, making it a truly special place to call home. What I love most is the incredible sense of community—one that values its rich history while embracing a vision for the future. The people here genuinely care for one another, and that spirit of connection and progress makes Otsego County a place I’m proud to be a part of.

 Why did you say YES to the OCF?

• I first joined the Finance Committee to contribute my expertise and support the foundation’s financial stewardship. As I became more involved, I saw the incredible impact OCF has on our community. Saying yes was easy—it’s an opportunity to help make a lasting difference.

  As a member of the board, I am honored to support initiatives that strengthen our community. My passion for financial leadership, education, and service drives me to contribute meaningfully to OCF’s mission.

• 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

Born & raised in Gaylord, a graduate of Gaylord St. Mary, Brandie Meisner earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University then found her way back as a newly wed to settle in Michaywe & build a life back in her hometown.

For over twenty years Brandie has served as the President & Chief Financial Officer of M&M Excavating, a heavy highway contractor headquartered in Gaylord. Together, she and her cousin, Ken Nowicki, are transitioning their 50-year-old family business to the third generation. Brandie’s responsibilities include management of all administrative, financial, and human resource functions of the company and 120 employees and their families.

Together with her husband, Erik, and their two young-adult sons, Ryan & Kevin, Brandie enjoys traveling, flying, scuba diving, downhill skiing, relaxing at Mullet Lake and whatever new adventure Erik dreams up!

• What do you love about Otsego County?

I love Otsego County! It was a great small town to grow up in… it’s been a great community to raise our family & grow our business… and we look forward to watching our future grandchildren thrive in a region mindful of the needs of its citizens. Otsego County provides a perfect mix of the “up-north charm” tourists seek along with a commitment to preserving those resources for year-round residence, too.

• Why did you say YES to the OCF?

I believe the OCF is one of the premiere organizations that ensure our beloved Otsego County maintains that perfect mix of “up-north charm” that tourists seek along with a commitment to preserving those resources for year-round residence, too. I’m proud to serve as one small voice among many supporting our beloved community.

Bio

• Retired Human Resources professional – Public Education
• Married, mother of two, grandmother of four
• Volunteer activities – Zonta Club of Gaylord area president; St. Mary Cathedral – lector, Eucharistic Minister, office volunteer; Women Can WOme Do (WRCW) Chairperson; RSVP volunteer
• Hobbies – Knotting, Reading, Pickleball, Zumba, Gym workouts
• Lived in Gaylord since 1997

What do you love about Otsego County?

Otsego County offers a lot of options for activities and ways to get involved. We may not have all of the options of living in a larger metropolitan area, but the beauty and outdoor opportunities more than make up for anything lacking. 

 Why did you say YES to the OCF?

I said yes to the OCF because I saw all of the wonderful things the OCF was doing during my time on the Board of the Women’s Resouce Center. I wanted to learn more about the organization and felt compelled to be a part of its good work and growth. 

• Bio

• I am a Sunrise Side gal at heart. Growing up in Greenbush, MI I attended Oscoda High School with the OCF’s own Dana Bensinger! Over time, I took the scenic route of living in Lansing and then Novi, MI before landing in Gaylord. Throughout those years I worked for a credit union and wore a variety of hats throughout that career which built a solid platform of understanding money and people. I was seeking the right opportunity to move closer to family and to live where I enjoyed relaxing. Gaylord has been very welcoming, and the community naturally pulls you in to want to get involved. I’ve also been able to work on my golf swing a bit more since moving to the Golf Mecca!

• What do you love about Otsego County?

• What I love the most about Otsego County is that it is centrally located and within an hour’s drive to so many desirable destinations in Northern MI. It embraces that small town culture of supporting one another in business and in life.

 Why did you say YES to the OCF?

• I have been directly and indirectly associated with the OCF over the years. Serving as an Ambassador for the 100+ Women Who Care event, attending various fundraisers and most recently establishing a fund along with my Gaylord Edward Jones colleagues to collaborate and find ways to make a greater impact in the community. Serving on the OCF Board is a great honor. I look forward to the opportunity to see our community through this new lens and find meaningful ways to make a positive impact.

• Bio

• I am the proud Superintendent at Johannesburg-Lewiston Area Schools where our Cardinal family cannot be beat. My family and I moved here for the opportunity to be a part of this great school district and community in 2015. I serve on the Board of Directors for OCF, and I also serve on the Board of Directors as President-Elect of the Michigan Associations of School Administrators, where I serve on committees for small and rural schools and conference planning.

• What do you love about Otsego County?

• Otsego County is blessed to have a caring community that supports the growth and enhancement of the beautiful place we can call home.

 Why did you say YES to the OCF?

• The OCF has grown so much in the past several years. I began on the education committee and could see Dana’s vision. The organization has grown exponentially in service, staffing, and the ability to make a difference. I am proud to be a part of a team that makes a significant difference in the community. I am also proud of the OCF staff, board, and the community for stepping up to make Otsego County a great place to live, work, and learn.

• Bio

• I was raised in Johannesburg, MI. I am a council member here in Gaylord, I am a big dog lover with two amazing dogs of my own. I really enjoy my time with friends and family. When I am not working, I am either helping with different events or I am taking short trips around Northern Michigan with friends.

• What do you love about Otsego County?

•  I love that Otsego County is not only a beautiful place with lots of fun outdoor activities to do but it is also HOME.

 Why did you say YES to the OCF?

• I said yes to OCF because I believe in our community and our leaders. I believe that being part of something is better than just sitting on the sidelines watching it happen.  I want to be on the field helping OCF achieve the GOAL.