Pat Majher Joins Mackinac State Historic Parks as New Media Officer
By Karen Gould

Tim Putman and Pat Majher outside the administration building at Fort Mackinac. Ms. Majher is the new public relations officer for Mackinac State Historic Parks.

Pat Majher is the new media officer at Mackinac State Historic Parks, stepping into the role Tim Putman has held for four years. The two have been working together for the last severals weeks as Mr. Putman helps Ms. Majher become familiar with park operations, the job's responsibilities, and event timelines, since this position requires that local, state, and national publications, radio, and television stations are made aware of park events several weeks to months in advance.

The Michigan native has visited the Island on family vacations, but now enjoys living here, which is a summer requirement of the job which she considers a bonus. In the fall, she will return to her family home in Ann Arbor, where her husband and stepson remain, and will work from the Lansing office of Mackinac State Historic Parks.

Ms. Majher brings a marketing, writing, and museum background to her new post.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and a master's degree in historic preservation. She worked three years as a museum curator in Milan and recently worked with collections at The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn.

"The stewardship of the Island and its history and natural resources of the Straits region, well that's what I've enjoyed most," she said of her new job. "It gave me the feeling, 'I'm going to a job that's worthwhile.'"

She added, "I look forward to working with my colleagues and the commission in protecting, preserving, and promoting the many resources of our parks."

When he arrived on the Island, Mr. Putman said he met many people who would tell him they'd fallen in love with the Island and the Straits area and they would do almost anything to live here. At first, he admitted, he did not understand the feeling they expressed, until he lived on Mackinac.

"Over time, I've learned why that is," said Mr. Putman. "It's the lifestyle, the rich history, and the people."

Now, he and his wife, Ana, an assistant principal in the Grand Rapids Public School system, are anticipating the birth of their first child this fall. Mr. Putman will return to public relations work in Grand Rapids and work from home so he can be a fulltime dad.