Michael McAlister:  

Life Left School in 1961 (day after 17th b-day) and spent three years in the Army. Did a 15 month tour in Korea. Returned to Reno after discharge from Army (1964). Worked at 2-3 jobs and lived with Dick Kirkland, Rick Carney and Larry Sheltron for about 18 months. Moved to Phoenix,AZ and worked and went to Phoenix Junior College (GED from Army days got me in). Married for first time in 1965, to a Phoenix girl who had just graduated from ASU. Received my AA degree in 1968. Moved to Flagstaff, AZ and worked and attended Northern Arizona University. Joined a fraternity (Sigma Nu) mainly because I left High School before graduating and missed much of the "social aspect" of school. Glad I joined...had a ball! Also my wife had been a sorority member (Kappa Alpha Theta) and so even though I was married she supported my fraternity membership. Received BS degree with double major in English and Economics, in 1970 Moved back to Phoenix and went to work for the State of Arizona. First child, Kristen born in 1971. Transfered back to Flagstaff (and have been here ever since!) as Supervisory Field Auditor in 1972. Second child, Scott born in 1976. After several promotions with the State moved to a job with the Federal Government as an Accounting and Procurement Officer with a small Presidental Commission, Office of Navajo and Hopi Indian Relocation in 1980. Worked for ONHIR and attended graduate school. Received Master of Public Administration degree in 1984. Continued career with Agency, working my way up while becoming heavily involved with my recreational passion...Riding Harleys all over the country. Promoted to position of Deputy Directer of ONHIR in 1988, where it looks like I will complete my career since the Agency Executive Directer is 3 years younger than I and we will complete our mission and go out of business within the next 5 years (We are a Federal "Sunset Agency" which means we go out of business when the job is done.) Update: I retired in 2009 but ONHIR is still in business...lending credence to the claim that it's impossible to put a federal agency out of business once it's established. As a staunch life long conservative I was always a strange fit working for the government! Grew apart from first wife (school teacher who didn't share my passion for motorcycles or sports cars). Divorced in 1990. Re-married in 1993 to the women I wish I had found 25 years earlier. Ellen is also in accounting and management (Assistant Directer of the Hozhoni Foundation) and loves mo...Expand for more