contributor s

Jason Burke

writes for the discoverer in all of us. As a Professional Engineer, management consultant and freelance writer, work keeps him on the move, meeting interesting people everywhere he goes. Originally from San Diego, his background includes degrees from U.C. Berkeley and Montana Tech, a private pilot certificate and sharing the wonders of engineering, aviation and technology. In Montana for 10 years, he lives in Billings with his wife, Christy, and their three children.

Virginia Bryan is a freelance writer based in Billings. She is an MFA candidate in creative nonfiction at the University of New Orleans and chairs the High Plains Book Awards Committee, a project of Billings Public Library.

Donna Healy, a freelance writer, started her career in journalism on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and worked as a feature writer for The Billings Gazette for more than 30 years. Last June, she won a first- place prize in the Society of Professional Journalists Pacific Northwest Excellence in Journalism Competition.  She loves exercise classes at the Billings YMCA, getting up before dawn and cutting flowers from the garden to rescue them from the weeds. She currently works at Riverstone Health as a part-time communication projects specialist.

Jim Gransbery

is a retired agricultural and political reporter of The Billings Gazette. Since 2008, he has spent his time teaching, writing magazine articles for regional publications and working on short fiction. He also looks after the well-being of his wife, Karen, who has made the whole trip possible.

Michelle Williams is a seasoned content creator across digital, print and social channels in such diverse areas as travel, health care, technology and business. In her current role as strategy and business development director at A.D. Creative Group, Michelle is directly involved in client projects specific to strategic planning, research, content development, consumer trending and brand management.

Karen Kinser

While loving the wizardry of words, Karen also loves travel because of that present-moment sense, which travel conveys so well, that each day is a gift to unwrap. Other passions include hiking, gardening, photographing and entering recipe contests. Both she and her husband are fascinated with factory tours, literary landmarks, and seeking restaurants mentioned in novels – just to see if they exist.

Chris Rubich, a Billings native, has more than 35 years of experience as a reporter, photographer and editor for newspapers in Montana and Wyoming, including 29 years with The Billings Gazette. A graduate of the University of Montana, she enjoys sharing plants from her garden with others, volunteer activities and walking her rescue dogs.

MAGIC CITY MAGAZINE I JULY/AUGUST I 9