ABOUT ME
Hi, I'm Mike
WHERE I COME FROM
I’m not just from the Grand Valley — I’m made of it. Learned how to throw a shovel before I could ride a bike. This place didn’t just shape me — it toughened me up and taught me how to care.
I graduated from Central High School in 2010. I wasn’t a standout student by any means. Most days, I was thinking more about the puck than the textbook. I got in trouble sometimes. I frustrated a few teachers — and probably gave a couple of them gray hair. But I also had mentors who saw past the rough edges, who saw potential even when I didn’t. They stuck with me. And that mattered more than any grade.
One teacher once told me, “You’ll never get paid to stare out a window.” Then I joined the Army and spent a whole lot of time doing exactly that — staring out of helicopters and Humvees into heat, dust, danger, and silence. So either I proved them wrong… or I just took window-staring to a whole new level.
My mom wasn’t an educator, but she was fierce. She didn’t have a college degree or a fancy title, but she had a backbone made of steel. If one of us kids was getting overlooked or mistreated at school, she was in that office faster than you could blink — not for a fight, but for fairness. She believed in speaking up, even when it was hard — and I believe our whole community can carry that forward by standing together for what’s right, especially when our kids need us most.
This isn’t politics for me — this is personal. I want kids to know they’re more than a test score. I want them to be seen, supported, and given the tools to build a future that works for them. Whether that’s college, a trade, the military, or forging their own path — I want them to feel like they’ve got choices. And I want parents to know their voice matters — because I’ve lived what happens when it does.
This valley raised me on grit, grace, and second chances — and now I’m ready to pay it forward. Not just for my own kids, but for every student walking into a D51 school, hoping someone sees what they’re capable of.
I didn’t take a gap year. I didn’t find myself. I graduated from Central High, signed the papers, and became an infantryman in the U.S. Army. No desk. No backup plan. Just dirt, steel, and the weight of responsibility from day one.
I didn’t join for comfort. I joined to be tested — and I was. Day after day, mile after mile, in boots that never dried and heat that never broke. I carried more than my own gear. I carried my share of the mission, my brothers’ safety, and the weight of knowing there’s no one coming if you screw it up. The infantry doesn’t give you second chances — it teaches you to get it right the first time.
“I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace.”
That wasn’t something we recited. It was a fact. We didn’t whine. We didn’t wait. We didn’t care about comfort. We showed up. We did the job. And when things got ugly — and they always did — we leaned in and pushed harder.
“I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough… I will not falter. I will not fail.”
I learned how to lead when the stakes were real. How to shut up and listen. How to speak up when it counted. And how to keep moving forward when everything around you says stop.
That mindset didn’t stay in the military. I brought it home. I bring it to how I raise my kids. To how I love my future wife. To how I coach. To how I work. No excuses. No shortcuts. Do it right. Do it fully. Or don’t bother.
And now I’m bringing it to the school board — because I’m done watching people treat our schools like background noise. Our kids deserve better. Our teachers deserve backup. And our community deserves someone who doesn’t flinch when things get hard.
“I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am the Infantry. Follow me.”
I’m not here for handshakes and soundbites. I’m here to lead. To fight for what’s right. And to serve — again — not with a rifle this time, but with the same grit, the same heart, and the same fire that’s gotten me through every hard thing life’s thrown at me.
You want someone polished? Keep looking.
You want someone who shows up and does the damn work? Let’s go.
Coaching youth hockey has been one of the most rewarding and grounding parts of my life, right alongside raising my family and serving in the military. I’ve spent countless hours at the rink with kids from all across the valley. We work on the fundamentals — skating, shooting, passing — but more importantly, we focus on who they’re becoming.
Because hockey, like life, demands more than just talent. It takes effort, grit, and the willingness to get back up when you’re tired, frustrated, or unsure. That’s what we work on. Not perfection — progress. Not always winning — but showing up, being coachable, learning to rely on each other. On the ice, we talk about respect, accountability, resilience, and teamwork. I believe those values matter just as much off the ice — in school, at home, and out in the world.
Some kids show up confident and ready. Others need time. Some need encouragement. Some need someone to challenge them. What they all need — and what they deserve — is an adult who’s in their corner, who’s consistent, and who believes in their potential, even when they don’t see it yet.
I’ve learned a lot from these kids. I’ve seen quiet determination in the ones who struggle but keep showing up. I’ve seen leadership in kids who don’t say much, but always put in the work. And I’ve seen how one steady voice — one person who won’t give up on them — can help a young person find their footing. It’s a privilege to be part of that.
Coaching has shaped me. It’s made me a better father, a better communicator, and a more patient leader. It’s also given me a close look at what our young people are up against — the pressure to be perfect, the fear of failing, and the constant noise that can drown out who they really are.
That’s one of the biggest reasons I’m running for the D51 School Board. I want to help create a school environment that supports the whole student — not just academically, but in who they’re becoming. A place where effort is respected. Where kids learn that setbacks aren’t the end of the story. Where they’re expected to work hard — and know they’re not doing it alone.
I’m not running because I have all the answers. I’m running because I care deeply about our kids, and I’m ready to listen, show up, and put in the work.
Being a partner and father is at the core of who I am. My fiance and I are raising four amazing kids — each with their own strengths, challenges, and learning styles. Two of our children attend a public charter school that better fits their academic needs, while the other two are thriving in District 51 schools. Like any parents, we made those choices based on what’s best for each of them — and that experience has deepened my respect for educational options and the importance of supporting every kind of learner.
My fiance is also an educator in D51, so education isn’t just something we talk about — it’s something we live, every day. We understand the challenges our schools face, not only from the parent’s side but also from the educator’s side of the table.
Our home is full of life, learning, and lessons — some of them hard-earned. Parenting has taught me how to lead with patience, show up consistently, and adapt to different needs — because no two kids are exactly the same. It’s also shown me how critical it is that schools recognize and support those differences.
Being a partner and father has shaped my approach to leadership. It’s about listening first, staying grounded, and always keeping the long view in mind. That’s what I’ll bring to the District 51 School Board — the perspective of someone who’s walking the walk, just like the families I hope to serve.
MISSION STATEMENT
Accountability, Accuracy, Action
The current school board has made efforts to improve transparency with stakeholders across the Valley, but too often those efforts have fallen short—especially when it comes to clear communication and accountability. For our schools to thrive, we need leadership that actively listens, follows through, and ensures every voice in the educational community is respected and represented.
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One of the most persistent challenges under the current school board has been the lack of accurate and consistent information. Whether it’s budget details, policy decisions, or academic performance data, too often the facts have been unclear or incomplete. This not only undermines public trust—it makes it harder for families, educators, and the community to make informed decisions and hold leadership accountable.
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As a board member, I’ll prioritize clear, accurate, and timely communication with our community. I’ll push for transparency in every decision, ensure data is complete and accessible, and create opportunities for parents, teachers, and stakeholders to be heard. Accountability starts with facts—and I’ll make sure we lead with them.