Mike is a retired park and recreation professional after a 37-year career in the Illinois park district system. Mike worked for several organizations throughout his career and most recently was Executive Director for 12 years with the Batavia Park District and retired after 13 additional years as Executive Director of the Palatine Park District. Mike has been an active Academy member serving as a committee member with the AAPRA Extern Program.
Mike has been Chair of the committee twice, leader of the recruitment and selection sub-committee several times and was the author of the original Committee Handbook which is still utilized to date by the Extern Program. Mike is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Plan4Action, LLC, a small but impactful consulting firm dedicated to the park and recreation industry. The company supports professionals and agencies through development, training, strategic planning, visioning, organizational culture, and team building - helping them align passion with purpose. Mike has been an active member of NRPA for decades including APRS President, Great Lakes Regional Council Chair, Congress Planning Committee and Accreditation Task Force with reciprocal pilot program between national platform and Illinois program. Mike has been recognized over his career by his peers with the Illinois Meritorious Award, Fellow Award, Chairman Award and culminated with the Robert Artz Lifetime Achievement Award. Mike has been a contributing author for both state and national professional periodicals and a speaker and presenter at several state and national conferences.
Mike is an active member of the Southside Sarasota Rotary Club and volunteer board member for the Friends of Bayside Parks in Osprey Florida. Mike is married to his wife Donna of 33 years and has three wonderful sons all grown and following their passions.