Dave Burgan – Dave was born and raised in Iowa where he attended college at Iowa State University. He started pursuing an engineering degree like his father but ended up double majoring in engineering and accounting. He has been married 42 years. He spent 36 years working for Dow. His family was moved around quite a bit during his employment with them. They spent five years in Midland where they had their first daughter. Then they spent five years in Arkansas where their son was born. Then they moved to the Houston area where another daughter was born. From 1988-92 they lived in Traverse City and Dave worked at Boride, which used to be owned by Dow. Then they moved to Minnesota and welcomed another addition to the family, a dog.
Dave finished his career in Midland as internal auditor for Dow. He traveled the world frequently, often 2-3 weeks at a time to places like Tokyo and Amsterdam. He retired in 2009, the same day his wife retired from the school system. He spent his last day of work at the Munich open watching Tiger Woods. He and his wife bought a home on Old Mission Peninsula. They sold their Midland home in 2013 and moved to Traverse City full time.
Dave’ family includes his wife, three children and their spouses, two grandchildren and a third is expected to arrive soon. Dave has traveled the world a lot and prefers to stay in the U.S. now and especially enjoys Traverse City. He just took up golf three years ago and is still learning. He likes scuba diving, photography and skiing (as long as he can keep up with the grandchildren). He is also an instrument rated private pilot who owns one third interest in a Piper Cherokee. Welcome Dave!!
Maureen Pfaller – Maureen was born on Oct. 19, 1987. Maureen is the middle child with an older sister and younger brother. She was home schooled through 9th grade then attended Traverse City West Senior High. She was a member of the National Honor Society and became treasurer her senior year. She was also involved in the Key Club service organization and Phi Theta Kappa.
Maureen attended Northwestern Michigan College where she achieved as Associate Degree in Science. She then transferred to Central Michigan University where she graduated in 2010 with a double major in Environmental Studies and Geography. She interned three summers at the Watershed Center. After gradation she became a full time employee at The Watershed Center. Her position was eliminated last fall so she went to work as the events and volunteer coordinator for Goodwill Industries.
She is vocally talented and participated in the Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) Children’s Choir and a few high school musicals at Traverse City West Senior High. She sings at church, and for friends and family members at weddings.
Maureen got married two years ago on May 17. She is Catholic and her faith is important to her.
She played soccer and softball growing up. Maureen is very physically active. Her and her husband like to hike hills. She has done the M-22 Challenge, a tough mudder, the Bayshore half marathon and in 2015 did her first triathlon. Her and her husband do Olympic weight lifting. She also does master swimming and likes to hunt.
Her mom works for the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District (TBAISD) and her dad works for Pepsi. Maureen has one niece, with another on the way, and three nephews. She doesn’t see them as often as she would like because they live out of state. Her brother-in-law is in the Army and they live on the East Coast.
Maureen claims to be related to everyone in Grand Traverse County (her maiden name is McManus) and says family is very important to her. George McManus is her dad’s uncle and Michelle McManus is her dad’s cousin. Her husband works at Alcotec Wire Corporation here in Traverse City. He is currently in an MBA program through Ferris. He is one of four kids, his mom is one of nine and he has 50 cousins. Michelle says three women have been solid foundations for her including her mom, grandmother and her Aunt Jennifer Hutchinson.
Maureen also shared that she, her brother and her sister were all adopted by their parents through open adoptions from different families. This means Maureen knows her biological family.
This summer she is doing a 2-mile open water swim as a fundraiser for The Watershed Center. Welcome Maureen!