MEET MICHAEL
 Michael spent his early teenage years in the N. Raleigh community of Brentwood. While in his sophomore year at Millbrook High School, his parents purchased a home in Youngsville, NC and they moved just into Franklin County. Michael graduated from Bunn High School in Franklin County and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps serving in the Persian Gulf War. Upon returning home, he moved to Wake Forest and started attending Vance-Granville Community College where he earned a degree in Criminal Justice with academic honors. While at VGCC, Michael served in the Student Government as a Senator and in his last year of attendance rose to President of the Student Government Association.  After graduating, Michael was accepted into the Police Academy (Basic Law Enforcement Training). During the police academy, Michael's leadership skills that he acquired in the Marine Corps, served him well and was promoted to Class Leader. His class was the largest graduating class of the program's history.
Michael moved to Wake Forest and began working as a Police Officer at Wake Forest Police Department. Early in his career, roughly 22 months, Michael's drive and professionalism gained him the promotion to Patrol Sergeant. Some time later, the department started a Community Policing Program and Michael was selected to head up the program as the unit commander. Michael and his team conducted community meetings, door to door surveys, identified drug activities, referred residents to sources of assistance, and interacted with many youth in the community. You could find them walking or riding in the community at any given time, day or night.
Michael would later return to the patrol division as a Platoon Commander, where he had the priviledge to work with great officers and the department's first full service K-9, Chico. During this time, he returned to school at Campbell University were he earned his Bachelors Degree with a strong concentration in Business.  In 1996, Michael and his wife, Tracey purchased a home in Wake Forest so they would be settled in to begin a family. One Saturday morning in March 1999, Michael was working in the yard when his wife came to him and shared some great news...they were going to be parents! Considering the demand of police work and the work schedule consisting of nights, weekends, and holidays; Michael realized he wanted to be more available to his family.
After a short while, Michael found the opportunity to teach at Vance-Granville Community College in the Criminal Justice Program. It was during this time, he had the opportunity to try teaching in the dual enrollment program. This program was a consortium between the college and county high schools where VGCC would teach Criminal Justice classes in the high schools. The students would take the class as a high school elective and would also gain college credit. Michael really enjoyed the interaction with the high school students but was torn by a desire to own his own business.  In 2002, Michael and his wife started their own small business in Wake and Franklin Counties. Michael is a custom home builder with an excellent reputation in his industry. Through long hours and determination, his company grew and flourished in the years after that.
During these years, Michael volunteered in youth activities coaching soccer, t-ball, coach pitch baseball, and Dixie league minors. He has been active in church serving as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, chairman of building committee, usher, and assistant treasurer.
He has served on the Board of Directors for the Franklin County Homebuilders Association. During his tenure at the Chamber of Commerce, Michael has served as the Chairman of the Finance Committee, and Chairman of the Membership Committee. Michael was recognized for his dedicated committement with the award of Director of the Year 2009 and 2010. Currently, Michael just completed his tenure as 2011 Chairman of the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Today, he is serving as the Immediate Past Chairman of the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. He is the Chairman of the Audit and Finance Committee for the United Way of Franklin County for 2012. Michael was appointed to the Franklin County Economic Developement Committee in 2010-2014. Michael remains active in law enforcement as a Reserve Officer with Rolesville Police Dept since 2001.  Michael has many pleasures in life. He finds great pleasure in sharing time with his wife and children. He enjoys activities that include them. Both his children have come to love fishing and Michael truly enjoys fishing. He will tell you that he does not get to go enough! He is a member of Sandy Creek Fishing Club where he serves as the Secretary and Treasurer and is also a member of the NC BASS Federation Nation. He also enjoys camping and hiking, hunting, and pretty much anything to do with the outdoors. Michael holds a NC Lifetime Sportsman license. Michael also is a member of the Veteran's of Foreign War and American Legion in Wake Forest.  Michael and his wife resided in Wake County for 14 years and had full intentions of raising their family there, but in 2006 they became concerned about the direction of the Wake County School board with regards to it's busing dialoge. After much consideration in 2007, they decided to move just over the Wake/Franklin County line a few miles where their children would have the opportunity to have a "community school" experience in Youngsville.
Michael is married to his best friend of 18 years who happened to be a farmer's only child...that made Michael the farmer's "NEW" helper. During the last 20 years, Michael has assisted in whatever needed done on the farm. Today, he has taken on the primary role of the farm. Michael believes in family traditions and family values. He believes farming is a part of both of these. He enjoys his time in the field even when things breakdown...well maybe only when things are going well?  Michael understands that it is hardwork that pays off in the end and it is committment that sees you to the end of your endeavors!
Michael has the desire & experience as a leader to make a difference in Raleigh for Wake & Franklin Counties!!! | 
