Michael Burks was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA and left in 1992 after the Rodney King riots destroyed his Sav-On store in Watts. After several moves throughout Washington, Oregon and Montana, he finally found Missoula in 1996 and has focused 100% of his efforts on investing into the Missoula community. He has owned and operated several businesses such as the Garden of Read'n, Missoula Maulers Junior Hockey Team, Butte Cobras Junior Hockey Team, Missoula Phoenix Semi-Pro Football Team, Hockeywolf/Lacrossewolf shops located in Montana and Washington, Stitches Embroidery & Screenprinting as well as (7) Fuel Fitness & Nutrition fitness centers located in Montana and Idaho. In addition to these entities, he also has owned and operated Big Sky Specialized Carriers, Inc a freight logistics company that has been in operation since 1999. Michael plans on using his 20 years of experience in the transportation industry to ensure that all aspects of transportation on land as well as sea are completed in the most economic way possible. 

 

In addition to running these businesses, he focuses all of his spare time with his wife Kiomi, his 3 children, Ashley, Matthew and Dylan, his 3 grandchildren Manny, Solana and Jimmy as well as the Angel Flight West passengers he flies throughout the country as he holds his Montana Wing Leader position with the organization.