We are excited to feature Brian Switalski in this month’s OCF Volunteer Spotlight. Brian was born in Otsego Memorial Hospital, the last of 11 kids. He grew up being referred to as the “baby of the family,” something that he doesn’t think is necessarily a bad thing now that he is older. Brian was in one of the first kindergarten classes at North Ohio and then attended St. Mary’s from 1st to 12th grade. After graduation, he went to Western Michigan University to study engineering, where he met his wife, Kim. Since then, Brian and his family have lived near Columbus, OH, in the Lake Orion/Oxford area, and Kalamazoo. Although he and Kim never intended to return to Gaylord, they were given an opportunity to move back and be closer to family. Brian says that after 7 years back in Otsego County, “God’s plan to move us back was one we did not see coming, but we are so glad we live here now!” Both Brian and Kim work at E-Free Church in Gaylord. Brian describes his role as taking care of the things outside of what Pastor Scott Distler does, which means you won’t see Brian giving sermons or officiating weddings. Kim works as the Children’s Ministry Director, reaching many kids on a weekly basis.
Brian and Kim’s family is large, with a daughter at the Ross Business School at U of M, another daughter in the 5-year early college program at Gaylord High, two freshmen at St. Mary, and two younger boys who are homeschooled. Brian is spending his time fixing up old cars these days, seeing value in making a $600 car run again. His new hobby has come in handy with so many drivers and near drivers in the family. Fun fact—he was once mistaken for Peter Parker by a young child. Perhaps he is hiding something…
To learn more about Brian, here he is in his own words:
1. What do you love about Otsego County?
Since coming back to Gaylord in 2017, I have a completely different perspective from when I “left” in 1995. Having a family as large as we do, we find raising kids in Otsego County to be such a blessing. There may not be as many amenities as in a bigger metropolitan area, but the ability to play more freely, get from point a to point b (usually practices!) more stress free, and to get to know more community people is wonderful.
There is a lot to do in the outdoors. Our children have taken to the normal “up north” outdoors things like dirt biking, snowmobiling, skiing, sledding, playing in the trees, etc.
I did not attend the Alpenfest much when I was a kid living here. Since coming back, I love to go to Alpenfest to mainly watch and talk with people I have not seen in a while. I appreciate what a festival does to connect people.
2. What are your hopes for Otsego County?
I hope to see more affordable housing come back to the community while balancing the ability to still allow for income properties. I hope we can create forward looking opportunities to help with drug, alcohol, and family crisis situations. I see a huge need for an indoor venue large enough to play football, U-18 soccer, host large tournaments, and have an indoor playground, for the six months of the year that are hard for people to get outside. I do believe it will help with the mental health issues in our community.
3. What are you looking forward to in working with the OCF?
I enjoy learning so much about our community and listening and watching the other leaders whether they work for the OCF, they are on the board, or on a committee. I have learned a lot about how many things happen in Otsego County and how connected we can be! My role for 2025 will be to help reshape the grant funding process and I am looking forward to seeing how we can help get funds into the most beneficial places.