Staff Sergeant David Springob was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 31, 1985. He enlisted in the United States Army in October 2014. He completed one station unit training at Fort Benning, GA. First served as a rifleman in B-CO 1-504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, he went on to serve as a grenadier, machine gunner, saw gunner, team leader, and squad leader in the same unit. Later he served as the Division Protocol specialist for the command group of the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, NC.

Staff Sergeant David Springob became a recruiter in Port Huron in November 2020.

His military awards include; Army Commendation Medal with “C” device, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (3rd Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Unit Citation, The Army good conduct medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (2nd), Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, Expert Infantrymen’s Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

Andrew Maraniss is the author of four books on sports, history, and social justice for teens and adults. His first book, Strong Inside, was a biography of Perry Wallace, the first Black basketball player in SEC history. It was the first sports-related book ever to win the Lillian Smith Book Award for civil rights and the RFK Book Award Special Recognition Prize for social justice. His second book, Games of Deception, is the story of the first US men's Olympic basketball team at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It received the Sydney Taylor Book Honor Award. His third book, Singled Out, is a biography of Glenn Burke, the first openly gay Major League baseball player. Esquire Magazine named it one of the Top 100 Baseball I Books Ever Written and was a 2022 Rainbow Book List selection. Andrew's new book, Inaugural Ballers, tells the story of the first US women's Olympic basketball team at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal. Andrew lives in Nashville with his wife and young children and is the director of special projects at the Vanderbilt University Athletic Department.

Dr. Cheryl Ann Stephanie Arjonillo Canto served the city of Port Huron since 1998. She is a physician and advocate for the side and healthy, treating myriad Illnesses from Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, infectious diseases, Preventive Medicine, Lung diseases such as Asthma and COPD Neurologic diseases, Women's Health as well as Skin disorders at a primary care level. She is a primary care Physician in both the critically ill hospital-based care, Lake Huron Medical Center and McLaren Port Huron Hospital and the Outpatient clinic at Port Huron Internal Medicine. She is the Medical Director and Consultant of Regency on the Lake and the current Chief of the Department of Family Medicine in Lake Huron Medical Center. Canto graduated from Medical school in 1989, a Doctor of Medicine, Far Eastern University Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation Manila, Philippines. She did her Medical Residency Training in 1995-1998 and  Family Practice Residency Program at St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan.

Her life's endeavor is in the pursuit of providing outstanding medical care to the best standards while upholding and respecting the person's religious, and cultural perspective in all valuable aspects of life. This treatment plan could only be accomplished by the total commitment and hard work along with concerted teamwork with highly dedicated healthcare professionals in the primary as well as a tertiary healthcare facilities. 

Fire Fighter with the City of Port Huron

Since 2000, Patti Samar has owned and operated The Write Company, a writing, graphic design, and marketing consultation firm/advertising agency, in Port Huron. Prior to that, she served as the director of marketing and public relations at St. John River District Hospital in East China. She has also served as the director of communications at Woman’s Life Insurance Society in Port Huron; as a communications representative at the Michigan LowLevel Radioactive Waste Authority in Lansing; as a communications specialist at Northern Michigan University in Marquette; and as a news reporter at The Mining Journal of Marquette.

Samar is the recipient of several writing and design awards from notable organizations such as the Associated Press, the Detroit Press Club Foundation, the Aster Awards for Excellence in Health Care Marketing, and the International Association of Business Communicators, among others. Her writing has been published in numerous magazines both regionally and nationally, including the Detroit Free Press Magazine and Seventeen.

In August of 2011, through The Write Company, Samar launched a regional women’s magazine called Blue Water Woman. She is the editor, publisher, sales manager/head salesperson, advertising copywriter and advertisement designer, staff writer, head photographer, and chief cook and bottle washer.

In May 2022, she launched ThumbCoast Senior, a print and online magazine that features stories about men and women 50 years and better in the Blue Water Area, and issues of importance to them.

In 2018, Samar launched SuperiorWoman.Net, an online publication featuring stories about women in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

A native of Rhode Island, Samar grew up in Marquette, Michigan, and graduated from Marquette Senior High School. She is a 1985 and 1989 graduate of Northern Michigan University where she received both a bachelor of science and a master of arts degree in English and writing. Additionally, she studied graphic design at Lansing Community College. A newlywed in 2012, she and her husband, Dale Hemmila, enjoy spending time with their dog, Buddy; traveling, and spending time on their beach. Sometimes, there’s no place like home.

Tammy Jae Swafford is an ordained minister, a spirit-filled prophetess, a charismatic Christian author, and CEO of One Faith Publishing.

With more than 15 years of service, she has touched the lives of many through her zealous passion. As an adept mentor and life coach, she loves to encourage others and help to unlock unique potentials while maximizing God-given gifts and talents. As a humble servant and steadfast Christian, she is passionate about restoring people from the pit of despair and from pain to purpose.

Tammy is a native of Michigan; she is also the founder of "Sisterhood" a women’s mentor group, and "Books 4 Life," which specializes in developing and inspiring young authors K-12.

Josh Chapman is a resident of Port Huron along with his fiancé Judi, and their three children: Irving, Apollo, and Quentin. Josh was previously the vice president of Healthy Living and Membership for the YMCA of the Blue Water Area before moving to Texas. During his time in Texas, Chapman was the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Cooke County. While there he was able to gain the confidence of local leaders and board members while simultaneously implementing strong programs.

Chapman is always busy trying to find ways to give back to his community, but when he does get some free time, he enjoys reading, keeping busy with carpentry, and chasing his three kids outside.

Chapman holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University. He returned to the region in early 2021 to become the CEO of the YMCA. He has been actively involved with a variety of organizations and governance within the communities he’s been a part of; with the goal of providing hope, breaking cycles of poverty, and helping all reach their potential.

MJ Collins is a 24-year-old dad. He also is a drag queen, comedian, and public speaker from the Port Huron area. They perform multiple family-friendly shows with their five-year-old daughter and bring many guests to the area as the head of the Haus of Salad. As a self-proclaimed community queen, MJ strives to connect our local community with resources and awareness to spark creativity and joy in the Port Huron area. His goal is to showcase how the LGBTQ+ community is relevant and integrated in Port Huron. They envision the future of our area to be an epicenter of a wide range of businesses as well as a hub of diversity and inclusion.

Kevin Watkins, BSN, nurse for more than three decades, President of the NAACP chapter in Port Huron, and resident of Wales Township, has committed himself to the fight against not only COVID-19, but wellness and educating the public on health matters. Watkins is an instructor at St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron, where he teaches in their nursing department. When he's not teaching at the college, Watkins can be found at his second place of employment, MediLodge of Port Huron, coming for residents, subacute and rehab patients.

Jazmyn Thomas was born and raised in Port Huron. She graduated in 2010 from Port Huron High School. She went on to earn her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Relations and Policy from Michigan State University in 2014 and graduated with honors with her Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Oakland University in 2017. Jazmyn is currently the Community Development Program Administrator for the City of Port Huron and is responsible for administering all the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funding the City receives.

Jazmyn is passionate about being involved in her community and is currently a member of the Community Foundation’s Equity and Inclusion Committee, the Port Huron Police Department’s Community Resource Champions Committee and the St. Clair County Diversity Initiative. In her spare time Jazmyn enjoys traveling.