About Mike
Since I'm applying for the job of being your State Representative from House District 53...
Here's what I think you should know about me as you consider my application.
Here's what I think you should know about me as you consider my application.
I'm definitely not a career politician and I'm not a lawyer. I'm a business guy. With billions of dollars of your tax dollars on the line, we need more business people and fewer politicians and lawyers in Salem. Being self-employed for nearly all my life (since 4th grade, actually), I've pretty much relied on results as a resume. Thus, I've prepared this non-traditional sort of "life resume," because broad life experience and leadership maturity equips me to be the best choice to navigate the complex issues that face us and to serve as your representative.
As I seek your support for my candidacy, an understanding of my background will give you an idea of whether I'm the kind of guy you want on your team.
As I seek your support for my candidacy, an understanding of my background will give you an idea of whether I'm the kind of guy you want on your team.
- I am a Christ follower...although imperfect at it.
- I'm a husband, father and grandfather.
- I turn to prayer and the Bible as my primary resource for wisdom; then seek input from other Godly, wise and compassionate men and women; and finally I apply logic, reason and common sense.
- I am a student of the US and State Constitutions. Although not perfect, our American system of government, as guided by the Constitution, is the best the world has ever seen.
- I am a patriot, an ex-Army Ranger Combat Engineer Captain, and a lover of America, both its grandest aspirations and with all its failings and rough edges.
- I am a black belt martial artist in Aikido (which means the "Way of Love"). That's not only an interesting martial philosophy, it's arguably the most difficult of martial pursuits. I describe Aikido as the art of resolving violence without conflict and resolving conflict without violence. Ponder the usefulness of that mindset as you consider hiring me for State Representative.
- I am an experienced mergers and acquisitions advisor, having guided buyers and sellers through hundreds of business transactions worth about a half-billion dollars with my firm CrossPointe Private Equity Advisors. The negotiating and relational skills honed in this business will serve me (and thus you) well in Salem.
- For many years I've served as an executive coach to accomplished CEOs and business leaders, including many top leaders in Central Oregon, as founder of 10x Catalyst Groups.
- I served on the Bend Chamber of Commerce Board for three years.
- I am a member of Rotary Club of Greater Bend, the largest club in the region. I served on the board for three years and am a past club president. For several years I was club captain of the Great Drake Park Duck Race, leading the river crew for perhaps the most widely supported community fundraiser in Central Oregon.
- The Rotary Four Way Test also informs how I make decisions: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
- In 2008 I produced the High Desert Men's Summit at the Redmond Expo Center, the largest Christian men's gathering in Oregon, featuring Governor and Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.
- For the last seven years, I've produced the Central Oregon Community Leaders' Prayer Breakfast, the largest Prayer Breakfast in Oregon, drawing government, business, church and nonprofit leaders from across our region.
- In 2021, I assumed the role of chairman of the Bend Christmas Parade, the largest Christmas parade in Oregon, and arguably the most beloved holiday event in Bend.
- For the last seven years I've hosted the Community Leaders' Christmas Social, attended by several hundred leaders from across the community.
- I'm the founder and producer of the Central Oregon Business Forum, a one-of-a-kind annual event that brings local business leaders together to share best practices in a peer-peer format and sharpen entrepreneurial skills.
- My campaign was the Title Sponsor of the 2022 Deschutes County Fair and Rodeo...the first time a political candidate has ever sponsored the entire event. This enabled me to meet many thousands of Central Oregonians, and the sponsorship fees were invested into the Fair for the benefit and enjoyment of everyone in our region.
- I'm a member of Oregon Band of Brothers and Central Oregon Military Officers Association of America.
- I first moved to Tumalo in 2005, thus District 53 has been my home for many years.
A little additional back story.
I lived the first 6 years of my life in a chicken house on a small Indiana truck farm. We were not just dirt poor, we were chicken [---] poor. I understand what it's like to start with nothing.
I started working the fields picking vegetables at about age 3. I understand how to work.
From first grade through high school I lived and went to school on the Navajo Nation. My grandparents were school teachers, my dad was a social worker and my mom was a school nurse. I come from a family of servants. My friends were Navajos and Hopis. We still keep in touch. Consequently, I have a deep love and high regard for Native American cultures, and an appreciation for many of the challenges they face that is much more extensive than most would-be politicians.
I attended Arizona State University on an Army ROTC scholarship, and was the Distinguished Military Graduate. All through my college years I was fortunate to be invited into and included in a Hispanic family and culture, which I totally loved...except for menudo. I just never could get excited about tripe soup.
During the summers while in college I worked in various states, much of the time in predominantly Black communities, into which I was most graciously welcomed.
After college, I served four years as an Army officer, leading mostly inner-city raised soldiers. I served in West Germany, assigned to the defense of the Fulda Gap on the East German border. This was at the height of the Cold War. I have been behind enemy lines. I fought Communism up close and personal in ways few have. Because I have actually seen firsthand the devastation and misery caused by Socialist, Communist and Totalitarian forms of government, my absolute rejection of those and my love for Democracy, Free Enterprise, Capitalism and America is not theoretical. It's grounded in hard reality.
I've started, operated, and consulted with many franchises and small businesses. I understand small business - intimately. I understand finance and budgets. I know that only businesses make money. Government does not make money. Schools do not make money. Churches do not make money. Only businesses make money. If we stifle business, we crush everything else.
My wife and I ran the largest childcare business in Santa Cruz County, California, operating multiple centers and summer camps. We raised our kids in the schools we operated. Childcare centers we founded are still in operation and they have served thousands of families over the last couple decades. I understand the childcare dilemma from multiple perspectives: center developer, owner - operator, teacher and parent.
My wife suffered from severe alcoholism and bi-polar disorder. We were married for 30 years and I know the challenges and heartbreak that addiction and mental illness bring to all concerned.
I know the grief, confusion and despair of abandonment, betrayal and divorce - and I know that there is hope, and that growing better beats growing bitter.
My wife was ultimately killed in a horrific traffic accident outside of Burns. I know the pain of a knock on the door in the middle of the night and the agony of telling kids and parents that their mom and their daughter is gone. I know the pain of sudden death and loss under unimaginable circumstances.
I have been a single dad of a daughter. I know how tough single-parenting can be.
I am now blissfully re-married to a wonderful woman. Cathie is a lifelong resident of Central Oregon. She founded and serves as Executive Director for New Each Morning, a nonprofit organization serving women graduates of addiction recovery programs as they transition into the workforce.
We have a blended family of six awesome grown "kids" and four grandkids.
I started working the fields picking vegetables at about age 3. I understand how to work.
From first grade through high school I lived and went to school on the Navajo Nation. My grandparents were school teachers, my dad was a social worker and my mom was a school nurse. I come from a family of servants. My friends were Navajos and Hopis. We still keep in touch. Consequently, I have a deep love and high regard for Native American cultures, and an appreciation for many of the challenges they face that is much more extensive than most would-be politicians.
I attended Arizona State University on an Army ROTC scholarship, and was the Distinguished Military Graduate. All through my college years I was fortunate to be invited into and included in a Hispanic family and culture, which I totally loved...except for menudo. I just never could get excited about tripe soup.
During the summers while in college I worked in various states, much of the time in predominantly Black communities, into which I was most graciously welcomed.
After college, I served four years as an Army officer, leading mostly inner-city raised soldiers. I served in West Germany, assigned to the defense of the Fulda Gap on the East German border. This was at the height of the Cold War. I have been behind enemy lines. I fought Communism up close and personal in ways few have. Because I have actually seen firsthand the devastation and misery caused by Socialist, Communist and Totalitarian forms of government, my absolute rejection of those and my love for Democracy, Free Enterprise, Capitalism and America is not theoretical. It's grounded in hard reality.
I've started, operated, and consulted with many franchises and small businesses. I understand small business - intimately. I understand finance and budgets. I know that only businesses make money. Government does not make money. Schools do not make money. Churches do not make money. Only businesses make money. If we stifle business, we crush everything else.
My wife and I ran the largest childcare business in Santa Cruz County, California, operating multiple centers and summer camps. We raised our kids in the schools we operated. Childcare centers we founded are still in operation and they have served thousands of families over the last couple decades. I understand the childcare dilemma from multiple perspectives: center developer, owner - operator, teacher and parent.
My wife suffered from severe alcoholism and bi-polar disorder. We were married for 30 years and I know the challenges and heartbreak that addiction and mental illness bring to all concerned.
I know the grief, confusion and despair of abandonment, betrayal and divorce - and I know that there is hope, and that growing better beats growing bitter.
My wife was ultimately killed in a horrific traffic accident outside of Burns. I know the pain of a knock on the door in the middle of the night and the agony of telling kids and parents that their mom and their daughter is gone. I know the pain of sudden death and loss under unimaginable circumstances.
I have been a single dad of a daughter. I know how tough single-parenting can be.
I am now blissfully re-married to a wonderful woman. Cathie is a lifelong resident of Central Oregon. She founded and serves as Executive Director for New Each Morning, a nonprofit organization serving women graduates of addiction recovery programs as they transition into the workforce.
We have a blended family of six awesome grown "kids" and four grandkids.
I love anything and everything outdoors. Hiking, skiing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, shooting, horses and fishing...especially fly fishing. Any river, any time...
Alright. That's enough of this. The point of the "life resume" I've shared with you here is that I've seen a lot, done a lot and experienced a lot...good, bad and really bad. Out of all that, I have personal insight into many issues faced by the people I seek to represent. From that comes not only compassion, but also a firm confidence in the resilience, resourcefulness and strength of the human spirit...and also the importance of faith, family and community to celebrate with us in times of triumph and to support us in times of trouble.
Vote for me and test me in this.
Alright. That's enough of this. The point of the "life resume" I've shared with you here is that I've seen a lot, done a lot and experienced a lot...good, bad and really bad. Out of all that, I have personal insight into many issues faced by the people I seek to represent. From that comes not only compassion, but also a firm confidence in the resilience, resourcefulness and strength of the human spirit...and also the importance of faith, family and community to celebrate with us in times of triumph and to support us in times of trouble.
Vote for me and test me in this.
