Meet Mike Huston, an electrician, community advocate, and servant leader, whose journey to Hemlock has been anything but ordinary.
Mike was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, as a Navy brat. His family moved to San Diego for a few years before settling in Freeport, Texas, following his father’s retirement. Tragically, Mike lost his father, a decorated veteran of Korea and Vietnam, when he was just 7. Growing up among his nieces and nephews due to a large age gap with his older siblings, Mike's family is a beautiful and racially diverse blend.
Determined to make his way in the world, Mike moved out at 15 after a few tough years with stepdads and, at 17, took on the responsibility of caring for his 15-year-old nephew. While he initially gravitated towards the electrical field, his path shifted towards computer engineering until he was offered a job at a plant in Texas. This opportunity ignited a 30-year passion for the field.
Mike spent 20 years with DOW Chemical, transitioned to Air Liquide, and then got his first taste of international life with Sadara Chemical Company in Saudi Arabia. Initially alone, he later returned with his wife Kristy and their five younger children, living there for several years before moving back to Texas. After a brief stint in Pennsylvania, the Hustons knew they needed a change. Serendipity led them to Hemlock, Michigan, where Mike is now the Plant Engineering and Services Manager at Hemlock Semiconductor (HSC).
Mike recalls with a laugh, "I longed to settle my family in a more rural community and told Kristy, 'if I can just find a chemical plant in the middle of a cornfield somewhere…'". Two continents and six states later, with six kids between them, the Hustons have firmly rooted themselves in the Hemlock community, a rural town that just so happens to house a chemical plant and a few corn fields.
“The STEM Center was actually a significant part of what brought me here; the agreement HSC has with Hemlock Public School District, and their combined ability to provide that education to my kids,” Mike shared. An ambassador for HSC and the president of the Hemlock Business Association (HBA), Mike is deeply involved in community life. He and Kristy volunteer regularly with the Sports Boosters and for other school activities, proudly supporting their blended family of eight, which includes a recent Hemlock High School graduate (class of 2023), an upcoming senior, sophomore, and a 6th grader at Hemlock Middle School.
Mike Huston’s dedication to his family, profession, and community makes Hemlock a richer place. We are grateful for the presence of the entire Huston crew (or as they affectionately refer to themselves, the "Huston Zoo"), whose involvement and spirit keep us #HemlockStrong.
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