Brian Werner, a native of Norwood, Ohio, is the originator and founder of the Tiger Missing Link Foundation and is the Co-Founder of the Tiger Creek Wildlife refuge, both located in Tyler, Texas. Werner participated in the first genetic study of tigers in 1996-1998 Published in "Riding The Tiger", Cambridge University Press UK). Werner was involved with the first open heart surgery performed on a tiger. Brian and his family were featured internationally on Animal Planet on the show Growing Up Tiger
Born: July 20, 1966, Norwood, Ohio relocated to the Mississippi Gulf Coast (Gautier, Ms.) in 1973 after his parents divorced. He spent summers in Norwood with paternal grandparents on Fenwick Avenue. Later relocated from Mississippi to Texas in Summer of 1980, eventually settling in North East Texas in and near the City of Tyler. Werner served 6-years in the U.S.Navy as an enlisted man, obtained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class (E-5). Served as a Boatswains Mate, duty stations included California, Florida and Virginia. Commands included USS Flint AE-32, USS New Jersey BB-62, USS Lexington AVT-16, Assault Craft Units 2 and 4 (LCU's and LCAC's.) He is the Great grandson X 10 of Christopher Newport who brought settlers to Jamestown, VA.