
Jan Hurst is a widow, mother, grandmother, and retired executive, who built a business career over 30 very eclectic years in multiple business disciplines. She and her husband, Steve, were married 44 years, the first 24 years following his Air Force career. Jan met Steve just the summer before her senior year of high school when he had just enlisted in the Air Force at a time the draft number was fast approaching. They had two daughters, who both became accomplished professional women and dedicated wives and mothers. Jan was raised moving at least every two years as a military dependent. Those moves were stateside and overseas. Hurst developed persistence, which became her most important characteristic next to faith. Her strongest influence for education stemmed from feeling suppressed by always being told she was just a girl, emphasized by being discouraged from going to college. In spite of such obstacles, Steve and she both worked to achieve bachelor degrees while working, moving, and raising a family. Jan enjoyed her early marriage as a homemaker, until their younger daughter started school. They built their lives together, both coming from dysfunction of some sort, starting with nothing, and yet becoming quite successful, and raising a loving family. Hurst continued her education to achieve an MBA and PhD in business management and worked to become a female executive in Information Technology at a time when women were not prevalent. She had to change jobs and colleges frequently as a trailing military spouse and learn to adjust. Once Steve retired from the Air Force, Jan began her career, no longer having the interruptions of moving and job hopping. Jan focused on a personal ministry in business to lead organizations and share management approaches to incorporate Christian values. Having grown up as an Air Force dependent, her passion was to show people that clicks and good ol’ boy approaches are not as productive, respectful, or rewarding. She and Steve were both passionate about helping others and worked to live as they believed. They shared a special respect and admiration for each other, having grown together with a strong bond of love up until the day they were abruptly parted by tragedy. Having lived in different cultures, enduring frequent changes, and facing tragedy and trials not unlike anyone else, Jan still relies on her faith.