LTC (ret) Brian Magerkurth
Brian served 28 years of both active and reserve assignments. He started his Army career as a Chinook and Huey Pilot serving at both Ft Lewis, WA, and in the Sinai, Egypt, in the Multinational Force and Observers. After Egypt, Brian received his Master of Science in Kinesiology from the University of Illinois and then served 4 years active and 12 years reserve in the Department of Physical Education at the United States Military Academy. He also has an MBA from Long Island University.
Brian is also a retired corporate executive, having run the Global Supply Chains for multiple Fortune 500 companies, such as Lowe’s Home Improvement, McKesson Pharmaceuticals, Baxter, Teva Generic Pharmaceuticals, and Avantor. The corporate roles allowed Brian and Valarie to live in 7 countries and numerous US states. Their favorites were South Africa, Israel, the Netherlands, and Canada.
Brian now serves as the Chairman of the Board for Songwriting With:Soldiers, a non-profit based in Nashville, that teams Veterans struggling with PTSD, with award-winning songwriters. Together, at small SW:S retreats, the Veteran collaboratively writes a song with the songwriter, blending music with healing.
When not working with SW:S, Brian enjoys international travel with Valarie, competing in Masters Track & Field as a pole vaulter, skydiving, SCUBA diving, Foiling/Surfing on Lake Hickory, golfing, tennis, and general Working out. Brian and Valarie live in Hickory, NC, and are looking forward to their only son, Tyler (USMA ’10), moving to Hickory with Joy and Summer (8 months).
Brian is also a retired corporate executive, having run the Global Supply Chains for multiple Fortune 500 companies, such as Lowe’s Home Improvement, McKesson Pharmaceuticals, Baxter, Teva Generic Pharmaceuticals, and Avantor. The corporate roles allowed Brian and Valarie to live in 7 countries and numerous US states. Their favorites were South Africa, Israel, the Netherlands, and Canada.
Brian now serves as the Chairman of the Board for Songwriting With:Soldiers, a non-profit based in Nashville, that teams Veterans struggling with PTSD, with award-winning songwriters. Together, at small SW:S retreats, the Veteran collaboratively writes a song with the songwriter, blending music with healing.
When not working with SW:S, Brian enjoys international travel with Valarie, competing in Masters Track & Field as a pole vaulter, skydiving, SCUBA diving, Foiling/Surfing on Lake Hickory, golfing, tennis, and general Working out. Brian and Valarie live in Hickory, NC, and are looking forward to their only son, Tyler (USMA ’10), moving to Hickory with Joy and Summer (8 months).