Mike grew up in a blue-collar family in a rural corner of the Blue Ridge. With the help of a military scholarship Mike graduated from Duke University before commissioning into the U.S. Navy, serving 3 tours as a Surface Warfare Officer. He led teams aboard two warships, deploying twice to combats zones in the Middle East to defend American citizens and support operations against ISIS. He later joined the Office of Naval Intelligence, where he served as a senior analyst and team leader.

Since leaving the Navy, Mike has continued his commitment to public service. He was elected to the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors in 2023, where he’s worked to make housing more affordable, expand broadband access, and create more good paying jobs for all levels of education. A graduate of UVA Law School, Mike also works as a civil rights lawyer for a Virginia-based nonprofit, working on housing, discrimination, and helping those who have been mistreated by corporations and landlords.

Mike lives in Albemarle County with his husband, an Episcopal minister, and his rescue dog, Jo.