Biographical Brief

Age: 35

Marital Status: Married

Family: Wife, Sara, two sons, ages 13 and 15

Religion: Catholic

Education/Degrees: Loras College, B.A., Media and Public Address with an emphasis in Political Science, magna cum laude, 1996; University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., with high distinction, 2001

Experience: Father of two boys in local public schools, hands-on business experience as the Director of college dining service and catering business, former criminal prosecutor, twice named as a Rising Star Attorney by Minnesota Law & Politics

Community Involvement: Volunteer coach for Eagan Athletic Association, member of St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church, member of Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce, board member for Eagan Art Festival; volunteer at local elementary school

2008 Endorsements: Education Minnesota; Clean Water Action Action Alliance-Minnesota; Teamsters DRIVE, Minnesota AFL-CIO, AFSCME, MAPE, SEIU

Platform: As our State Representative, Mike's working for common ground and common sense solutions to the challenges facing our state. Mike knows we need responsible priorities in St. Paul and that is why he focuses his efforts on consistent funding for education, controlling skyrocketing health care costs, and making college more affordable. Mike's working for you!

Background

The second oldest of six adopted children, Mike grew up on a small, family-run dairy farm. On that farm, Mike learned the value of a strong work ethic and the benefits of working together to meet your goals.

After graduating from public high school, Mike attended a liberal arts college in Dubuque, Iowa where he studied communication and political science. Mike was also very active in the college's theater department - eventually earning a spot in the Loras Players Hall of Fame.

On his second day at college, and while working his first work-study job in the school’s cafeteria, Mike met his future wife, Sara. The two were inseparable from their first date that first college weekend and were married soon after.

Work Experience

After graduating from Loras College, Mike went to work as the Director of Campus Dining Services for ARAMARK Corporation at Mount Marty College in Yankton, South Dakota. In this position, Mike managed more than thirty employees, ran a full service catering operation, and learned the ropes of operating a small business.

Passionate about having an impact on people's lives, Mike enrolled in the law program at the University of Iowa in the summer of 1999. Mike worked his way through law school in two and one-half years as a criminal prosecutor. In that capacity, Mike was mentored and trained by well-seasoned county prosecutors who taught him that exercising sound discretion was more important than simply winning convictions. While in law school, Mike was honored with the Judge Donald P. Lay Award for Leadership and Civic Service and served as a teaching assistant in several trial advocacy classes.

Mike is currently an attorney with the law firm of Winthrop & Weinstine, P.A. in Minneapolis. Mike’s practice focuses on commercial litigation and construction law. Mike also does a significant amount of pro bono work including representing underprivileged workers in the Minnesota Court of Appeals on unemployment compensation issues.

Mike and Sara's Community Involvement

Mike and his family are members of the St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church in Eagan. Mike is an active member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Mike and Sara’s sons (now ages 13 and 15) attend public schools in Eagan and are active in several community recreational activities, including basketball, football and soccer. Mike also serves as a volunteer youth basketball coach.