Ventures & Enterprises
From transportation to sports franchises, fitness empires to custom apparel — a diverse portfolio built across Montana.
A Legacy of Bold Enterprise
From trucking to sports franchises, fitness empires to custom apparel — Michael Burks has built a diverse portfolio of businesses across Montana and beyond.
Angel Flight West
Volunteer Pilot & Montana Wing Leader | AVIATION & SERVICE
Serving as a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight West is one of the most rewarding commitments of my life. Aviation has given me immense freedom, and using that freedom to assist families in medical distress gives my flight hours a deep, purposeful meaning. We fly patients—frequently children requiring chemotherapy, surgeries, or specialized diagnostics—completely free of charge.
Big Sky Specialized Carriers
Founder & Owner | TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS
After relocating to Missoula, I wanted to build a business that mirrored the rugged, hardworking nature of the Northwest. We launched Big Sky Specialized Carriers, Inc. with a modest initial investment of $50,000, focused on moving freight where other carriers feared to drive. Through discipline and operational precision, we scaled rapidly.
Missoula Maulers
Owner | SPORTS & FRANCHISE
Hockey has always been a great passion of mine, and owning the Missoula Maulers junior hockey franchise was an incredible chapter in community engagement. Junior hockey is about development—giving young, aspiring athletes aged 16 to 20 a platform to sharpen their skills, gain exposure, and earn college recruitments.
Butte Hockey (Butte Cobras / Butte Irish)
Owner | SPORTS & FRANCHISE
Building on the success of junior hockey in Missoula, I saw an opportunity to bring competitive hockey to Butte, Montana. Butte is a legendary sports town with a rich, gritty working-class history. The Butte Cobras (which later became the Butte Irish) junior ice hockey team was founded to match that spirited character.
Missoula Phoenix
Owner | SPORTS & FRANCHISE
The Missoula Phoenix semi-professional American football franchise was born out of a desire to provide local football athletes a chance to play beyond high school and college levels. Football has a massive following in Montana, and semi-pro ball offered community athletes a high-intensity, structured league to compete in.
HockeyWolf
Owner | SPORTS & FRANCHISE
During my time operating junior hockey teams, I noticed a persistent problem: local players and youth leagues struggled to access high-quality equipment without driving out of state or ordering online with massive delays. We founded HockeyWolf to solve that local retail gap.
Fuel Fitness & Nutrition
Founder & CEO | HEALTH, FITNESS & RETAIL
Health and wellness are fundamental to a strong community. We founded Fuel Fitness & Nutrition, Inc. to build modern, large-scale fitness centers that were accessible, clean, and comprehensively equipped. What began as a single location expanded into a major regional chain with locations in Helena, Butte, Bozeman, Billings, Coeur d'Alene, Kalispell, and Missoula.
Pine & Needle Print Co.
Owner | CUSTOM APPAREL & PRINT
In business, recognizing strategic acquisitions is key. We were doing so much apparel printing that we accounted for approximately 50% of the business at Stitches Embroidery. When the owner approached me and asked if I wanted to purchase the company, it made complete sense to integrate it into our operations.
Garden of Read'n
Co-Owner | HEALTH, FITNESS & RETAIL
For 14 years, my wife and I poured our hearts into the Garden of Read'n (formerly the Christian Book Store). Located in the heart of Missoula, it was a bookstore, coffee lounge, and gift shop designed to offer a peaceful sanctuary. It was a space built for reflection, conversation, and community support.
Support Angel Flight West
Angel Flight West has provided over 90,000 free flights for people who need to travel for medical care. Your support helps keep these missions flying.
