Max Jay Myers is no stranger to hard work and active community involvement.  The third of four sons, Max grew up on an Illinois cattle, pig, wheat, corn, and soybean farm.  Aided by his loving family, Max first became involved as an active community member by serving on the United Methodist church council while in high school.  He graduated from Morrisonville High School, in 1971.

Max volunteered and enlisted into the U.S. Army, Sept. 1971 and attended basic training and Crane Operator training in Fort Leonard Wood, MO.  In 1972 he was sent to serve in Co. A, 249th Engineers, Karlsruhe, Germany.   There he worked construction and demolition projects throughout Germany until he was honorably discharged in December 1974.  Upon discharge, Max was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

Max married Nina Krukov on April 6, 1975 in South San Francisco, CA.  The couple moved to Minneapolis in 1975 in time to welcome their first child, Renae, born Oct. 1976.  While in Minneapolis, Max attended North Central University where he graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Studies.  Max also received his license for ministry in May, 1979 with the Minnesota District of the Assemblies of God.
 
In the summer 1979 the Myers’ family moved to Storm Lake, IA, where Max became the Assistant Pastor of the Assembly of God church.  Their son Jeffrey was born in Storm Lake, November 1979.  Over the next 30 years, Max would serve as pastor of Assemblies of God Churches in; Morris, Il; Waupaca, WI; and Hutchinson, MN.

While pastoring in Morris, Max enlisted into the Illinois National Guard and served with 233rd Engineers in Joliet.  In 1982 he enrolled in classes at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, Lombard, IL.  Max received his ecclesiastical endorsement from the Assemblies of God, Chaplains Department and was commissioned as an officer on July 14, 1983 as 33rd Infantry Brigade Chaplain Candidate.  He went to U. S. Army Chaplains School in Ft. Monmouth, NJ.  While in Morris, Nina attended college and graduated to become a registered nurse.

In Minnesota, Max expanded his leadership role by serving the communities and region in which he lived.  He was elected to the office of Executive Presbyter of the MN District of the Assemblies of God.  In that position, he had oversight responsibility for the churches and pastors of the southern half of Minnesota.  Max became a member of the founding task force and board of directors of the McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence from 1992-1999. He served on the Tri-county Welfare-to-work Task Force, working with local social service providers to develop transportation plans for those coming off public assistance.  Out of his passion to help those who find themselves in a difficult position, he served on the founding task force for the new non-profit “Common Cup” that was established as a “one-stop” organization for those in need by pooling the financial resources of the local churches.  He also helped develop a staffed counseling department at his church that offered its services free of charge to the community.

Max partnered with Nina in 2001 to open their first small business in downtown Hutchinson, MN called “The Coffee Company.”  A second location was added in 2002.

The Myers’ family moved to Mechanicsburg, PA for Max to become the director of a ministry school.    Staying involved in the local community,  Max serves as a “Big Brother” with the Big Brother/Big Sister organization in Harrisburg, PA. 

Max published his first book on church leadership, “The Tail That Wags The Dog” in the fall of 2009.  He is presently working on his second book that will be titled, “Three Feet That Changed America.”  In 2009 “Vertical Leadership, LLC” was formed for the sale of his books and marketing of his services.

Max has his private pilot’s license and owns a plane that is based at the Carlisle Airport.  

Max and Nina’s children, have blessed them with five wonderful grandchildren; Olivia, Jay, Patty, Emma and Ella.