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Text Box: Edward “Ed” Sinclair Bruner, 38yrs old
Ed attend undergraduate and graduate schooling at Southern IL University—Carbondale. Ed grew-up in Bloomington and went to Oakland grade school, during the 1970s. Later, he moved with his family to Morton, IL, where he graduated high school, and, went on to SIU-C. Ed has worked as a licensed funeral director & embalmer, deputy sheriff, and EMT, just to name a few. Ed was hired by the CDC during graduate school. Ed is now retired from the CDC as a Public Health Advisor & Analyst, HIV/STD/TB Prevention. Ed worked since 1990 with the CDC, assigned as a Advisor to the City of Chicago Health Department and County of Los Angeles Health Department, was promoted to Director of TB Elimination Program for Miami-Dade & Key West counties (south of Ft Lauderdale to Key West), and later to Instructor for the Division of TB Elimination, and finally an Analyst for the HIV Prevention Research Evaluation Branch. After 10 yrs with the CDC, Ed discovered he had recently become HIV+ and, even more quickly, was diagnosis of AIDS. “I was ready to return to my boyhood home of Bloomington,” Ed told us. That’s always been where I’ve consider home. Talking about his famous grandfather, a Guggenheim-award winning author, Ed continues, “I always knew how talented my grandfather was, but was so excited and honored to know that the City is rewarding him a street in his name in the Tipton Trails subdivision. Be sure to keep an eye out for “Sinclair” Street!!” “I started back in Bloomington as a client of MCATF but realized they have been doing more. I had no idea they had such a very small numbers of volunteers there are (even smaller, now), so I volunteered to start a HIV+ support group. This group lasted for about 2 years (although I would like to start another one, if there is interest). At our last board meeting, Ed decided to step-down from Client Services, due to health concerns, his myriad responsibilities of being the Project Director for the IL Dept of Public Health funded—East Central IL Gay Youth Project, he duties serving on the Executive Committee and is Materials Review Co-Chair of the IL Dept of Public Health’s ‘HIV/AIDS Prevention Community Planning Group.’ Currently, Ed also is the Editor of the Red Ribbon Review, LAN administration, all around computer guru, coordinates the HIV prevention activities for 13-19yoas, in a 25 county region. Call me if you would like to help or would like more information on any of the programs listed. Ed lives a wonderful life with his partner of 11 years, Kevin Butler, also a Director-at-Large on the Board.

At the April board meeting of MCATF, Ed Bruner announced that he would be stepping down as Client Services Chairperson, so that would have more time to serve as Project Officer for the E Central IL Gay Youth Project, as the IL IDPH Prevention Community Planning Group (PCPG)’s Material Reviews Co-Chair, and as he serves on the PCPG Executive Committee. After thinking for some time about this issue, he called me and asked if I would be willing to take over his position. After discussion with the board, it was decided that I, Josh King, would fill Ed's shoes. Ed will stay with our group as a voting member and technical advisor.

Ed, Mark and myself will meet in the near future to get me caught up to where Ed is leaving off, introducing me to the Client Services program, and brainstorming some new ideas. After I get into the mix of things, I would like a consistent time in which clients can meet with me. As usual we will be open to any suggestions or comments that any client or member has. You can contact me by email at joshking@mcatf.org or call 309-310-7863.