Michael is a proud Minnesota native, dedicated public servant, and proven leader running for Sherburne County Auditor to bring accountability, transparency, and efficient government to our community.
Raised in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, Michael graduated from Robbinsdale Cooper High School as a three-sport athlete. He went on to play football at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he was a member of the 2008 NCAA Division II National Championship team. These experiences instilled in him the values of teamwork, discipline, and resilience that guide his leadership today.
After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (minor in Coaching) from UMD in 2010, Michael served in the United States Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician and Aircraft Crew Lead with Patrol Squadron VP-8. He led teams of up to 125 personnel during deployments, maintained strict compliance and operational readiness while holding a Top Secret/SCI clearance, and earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Now living and working in Elk River, Michael serves as Sales & Operations Manager for Minnesota Optical (Pearle Vision). He has driven top-5 national performance out of 600+ locations with strong annual growth rate, leads a 30-person team, manages financial operations, and implements process improvements.
In 2023, he completed his Master of Science in Strategic Leadership (GPA 4.0), with a Baldrige Excellence Framework capstone focused on organizational performance and continuous improvement.
Michael’s commitment to service includes volunteering with OneSight Vision Clinic in Brazil (helping 3,000+ patients) and active involvement in local youth sports coaching and community initiatives. As resident of Elk River he is deeply rooted in Sherburne County. With his background in operations, financial oversight, military service, and public service, Michael is ready to ensure accountable, efficient, and transparent county government.