Welcome 2 Midland: Meet Gary Billotti
Watch Episode 30 of
The Max Loves Midland Show
Gary Billotti, In His Own Words:
“I’m Gary Billotti, the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition Outreach Coordinator. For 27 years, I have called Midland home, something I never thought would happen. Growing up in Warren, Michigan, and spending time in Detroit, I once came here for work and thought nothing was happening. There was no mall, no attractions, and no reason I could ever imagine living here. Life, however, has a way of surprising us. After working across the country with organizations like Johnson and Johnson and the YMCA, my journey eventually brought me to Midland. Over time, this community became not just a place to live but a place to belong.
My wife and I have built a life here. We met at Macomb Community College, continued our studies at Central Michigan University, and started our family as we moved from Toledo to Delaware to Michigan. Our three children each represent a different chapter of our journey. Regina, our eldest, was born in Ohio and thrives while working at Senior Services in Midland. Sarah made her way to Portland, Oregon, where she and her husband embrace the outdoors. Alex stayed close to home, building a career in real estate and starting a family with his wife, who first came to Midland from Jamaica to run track at Northwood. Together, they blessed us with our first grandson, Jace, who has given me the joy of my life these past five months.
While family is at the heart of everything, my professional path has always centered on health, wellness, and community. At Dow, I served as leader of Health and Human Performance, focusing on employee health and wellness programs that went beyond the workplace and extended into family and community life. That experience laid the groundwork for what I do now with the Wellbeing Coalition. When I transitioned from corporate life into community work, I knew my role was to bring people together, build confidence, connect resources, and help our neighbors struggle well. We all face challenges, and the Coalition’s mission is not about solving every problem but about making sure no one faces them alone.
Through the Coalition, I have been involved in efforts like the Welcome2Midland initiative. It is not just a welcome wagon handing out brochures. It is a commitment to walk with new residents and introduce them to the networks, clubs, schools, and opportunities that make Midland special. It is about ensuring people feel cared for and connected from the start. We are building a team of community ambassadors who can help individuals and families see Midland as a place where they belong. This work excites me because it combines everything I value: wellness, relationships, and community collaboration.
What makes Midland unique is its growth, amenities, and deep culture of care. I have lived and worked in cities across the country, and I can confidently say that nowhere else matches the level of gratitude, generosity, and neighborliness here. Whether through philanthropy, volunteering, or simply stopping to help a stranger, people in Midland demonstrate daily what it means to live in a community that looks out for each other.
As I look ahead, my hope and dream for Midland County is that we continue to bridge existing gaps. Too often, there is a divide between those with much and those struggling. With over thirty percent of our county living in the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population, we cannot ignore the disparity. My vision is for a community where every individual feels they belong and has the opportunity to thrive, no matter their circumstance. That is the heart of wellbeing, and the Midland, we can build together.”
Do you have a Midland County story you would like to tell that aligns with our vision?