June,2009

My name is Michael Brewer. Welcome to the new  Citizen Fourth Estate.  We are entering “Operation Information.” Our mission is to provide a space for advocacy and dialogue with all  Arizona veterans.  I am a trained Veterans Service Officer, and  published writer in the arena of  Veterans Affairs.  I served in  the Marine Corps, with the 7th Marines and 1st  Marine Air Wing with two stints in Vietnam.  I am currently a Mentor for returning combat veterans at the Merritt Retreat Center in Payson, Arizona.  I have extensive training in the care and transition to civilian life for returning combat veterans.

I am a 51 year resident of Tucson, and now a winter visitor and dual resident of California. We have property in both States. Married to Lydia, a writer of her own fame, with three grown children, and three grandchildren. I attended St. Josephs Catholic, Rincon High School, University of Arizona  majoring in Nursing/Philosophy & Religious Studies.  B. S. Degree in Business and Sports Management/ Tucson University.  Completed a few Journalism classes, under the fine tutelage of Jane White, at Pima Community College and wrote for the Aztec. Contributor to the Northwest Explorer News. An Essayist by nature. Member of the Tucson Citizen Editorial Advisory Board for the old print edition.

We moved here from Dixon, Illinois in 1959.  I love to tell family and friends that I was the first paper boy for El Con Mall! What a wonderful way for a young boy to  get to know a new city, by way of a relationship with all of the Retailers at El Con, many of whom were long time Arizona families. Abby Grunewald, Dave Bloom and Sons, Levy’s, Steinfelds. It is no wonder I went on to a 24 year career in commercial property management and leasing.  Property manager for the Diocese of Tucson for three years.

Two term  past president of the Building Owners and Managers Association International and their Congressional Liaison for five years.  Served for five years on the Downtown Advisory Committee,  Chaired the Downtown Committee for the Tucson Trade Bureau. Eight years on City of Tucson Budget Advisory. Founder of El Centro de Tucson Executives. Executive Director of Pima County Sports Authority 1995-97. Selected for Tucson Town Hall planning advisory2007. Emcee for a variety of community events.

A member of the Marine Corps League Marana Night Hawk  72 Detachment & Apple Valley, California. Volunteer Veteran Service Officer. American Legion Apple Valley,Ca.Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Joshua Tree California.  Disabled American Veterans.  Past President and Life Member of Vietnam Veterans of America. Past Arizona  State Coordinator and Chaplain for Pointman Ministries International. Member of International Conference of War Veteran Ministers. Eucharistic Minister in Episcopal Church.

Served on the Boards of; YMCA, Salvation Army, Fan Kane Foundation, American Youth Soccer/Area Coaching Administrator for nine years and selected for World Cup 94′ Venue Committee.  Section Trainer. AIA High School Soccer Referee.  Two terms as Grant/Campbell Neighborhood Association President.  Troop Leader for Boy Scouts of America and Chairman of Soccer and Scouting for Catalina Council.  Director of Volunteers and Ambassador Program for Tucson Downtown Alliance.  Certified Tourism Ambassador. Conductor for Old Pueblo Trolley.  Recipient of two Copper Letters from the City of Tucson for civic involvement.

I love soccer; the “beautiful game”.  Coached for 24 years.  FIFA “B” coach. Both youth and high school.  Certified National Referee.Officiated in high school for 11 years. My wife and I were part owners, along with retired Air Force Col. Bob Meacham and Dan Byers  of the Tucson Amigos USL Soccer Franchise 1996-2000. A predecessor to FC Tucson, yet never permitted to play in City or County owned stadiums. It is joy to now see that soccer has a seat at the table in Tucson. No more upstairs, downstairs.

I retired in February of 2002.