A graduate of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mike’s work experience bridges the gap between the for-profit and non-profit world, as well as working in large corporate settings and running a small business. This background provides a unique understanding of client concerns and needs that Headlights Public Relations & Marketing serves.
Mike spent six years working in the non-profit world first as the Director of Admissions and later as Director of Development at his alma mater, University of Detroit Jesuit High School & Academy.
He then moved to the corporate world where he served as Account Operations Manager for the Cadillac account at Maritz Performance Improvement Company in Southfield, Michigan. In addition to managing a field team of 45 and an internal staff of 10, Mike’s leadership in developing strategies for Cadillac dealerships to improve customer satisfaction led to robust gains and caused the program to be expanded to encompass all General Motors brands.
In 1997, while at first still maintaining a full-time job, Mike established his first small business, Great Lakes Scholars. For the next 16 years, this business grew to encompass 24 states under various regional names that made up The Scholars Program. Over 120,000 youth were honored in this time and a strong brand identity became established.
In 2003, Mike left the corporate world to focus on his own business interests, including The Scholars Program and establishing a new business, Headlights Public Relations and Marketing. Over the past decade, Headlights has worked with multiple clients in various capacities to build and improve their image and brand.
Mike has served on many volunteer boards and committees in the metro-Detroit area in addition to volunteering at various events at church and his children’s school.
Mike lives in Bloomfield Hills with his wife and three sons. As a “retired” high school baseball coach, he can often be found walking with a mitt on his hand searching for someone to play catch with him. His favorite places away from home are Up North (especially Ludington and Burt Lake), the corner of Michigan and Trumbell in Detroit, and any watering hole that serves up great blarney along with ice cold beverages. A piano is an added bonus.