Born in Petoskey, Fairbairn grew up in Northern Michigan and is a fifth-generation resident of the area. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and master’s degree in business administration from Northwood University. After college, Fairbairn worked in the Northern Michigan automotive industry. Before being elected, Fairbairn served on the Emmet County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. He is also the former chair of the Emmet County Republican Party. Since 2022, he has served as a board member for Emmet County Farm Bureau. Fairbairn is also an avid outdoorsman, enjoying both hunting and fishing with his family.
