Watch my video above in my own words: Why I ran for City Council.
Mike is a retired executive, living in Coquina Sands, with a passion for beautiful Naples, biking, travel and volunteerism. Like many, prior to retirement, he vacationed in Naples with his 3 children on and off for over 25 years. Upon retirement, those memories of family vacations called him back to make Naples his permanent home. And why Naples? Mike found Naples to have a charm, character and ease that he fell in love with. The people were friendly, and it felt like home.
His professional experience includes 21 years as a Vice President for Xerox Corporation followed by assignments at companies requiring a proficiency in change management, restructuring, and solving complex business challenges.
As a graduate of St. Louis University, he is a collaborative and strong business leader with strong skills and expertise in:
- Organizational structure and design
- Process analysis and improvement
- Strategy development
- Business planning & Market Analysis
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Operations & Finance
Prior to his election as City Councilman, Mike served on the Coquina Sands Homeowners Association Board and is President of the Parador Condominium Association here in Naples. Prior to moving to Naples, he was President of his Condominium Association in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago.
Mike volunteered with Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs, where was a Senior Handler/Trainer, helping the organization provide independence to combat wounded veterans and children with life changing disabilities through partnerships with skilled assistance dogs.
If you would ask Mike about one of his proudest days, it would have been the day he was able to hand off the Golden Retriever he trained for 2 years, to change the life of a veteran. Mike feels there is no greater fulfillment than to do something to improve someone's life, especially a veteran who has made such a contribution by serving our country.
Through PAWS, Mike was involved with with outreach programs such as: Parkland Crisis Response Team, Children’s Literacy and Education Program, Collier County Library Reading Program, New Beginnings School of Naples, and the David Lawrence Center’s Crisis Care Unit.
Prior to moving to Naples, Mike volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, building homes to provide decent affordable housing for those in need. Mike enjoys talking about his numerous trips to Ireland, ask him to share his Irish travels, Irish stories, Irish history and you can always find him wherever there is Irish music.
Mike enjoys cycling throughout the world, he has cycled through Europe, Central America, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, US Cross Country (San Diego, CA to St. Augustine, FL) and Africa. His longest and most challenging cycling adventure was from Cairo, Egypt to Cape Town South Africa, over 7,500 miles.