CHAMPIONING BIG IDEAS TO CREATE MEMORABLE EVENTS…
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point with a degree in Communication, Mike returned to Rockford where he’d graduated high school and obtained a part-time/internship role in Media & Communications with the IceHogs.

He was offered a job as a Sales Executive for the IceHogs in 2001, while still keeping his communications role, and then found himself in the “right place at the right time” when the IceHogs broadcaster left in the summer of 2002. After 13 years in the Communications department and the birth of his third child, Mike transitioned out of broadcasting into more of an executive role in 2014.

Mike is inspired by the IceHogs staff and their ideas. He enjoys helping make their ideas a reality and seeing an idea from start to finish, although he notes that sometimes it is quite the process. Ideas can originate in June that may not get executed until February, but he says that the long process is well worth it when an idea comes all the way through and you can see someone succeed.

BEYOND THE EVENTS:
When asked what brings him joy outside of work, Mike is quick to credit his family. Be it whatever sport is on the agenda that night (baseball, volleyball, hockey, basketball, etc.), doing projects around the house with his wife, or going to movies with his kids, Mike loves spending time with them.

Mike values work/life balance and the importance of knowing how and when to disconnect, even during the season. He acknowledges that it’s easy to say until you get in the moment, but emphasizes the importance of knowing when to unplug even if it’s as simple as not checking your emails over the weekend unless it’s an emergency.

Mike's favorite event memories are centered around community, from seeing the community's reaction to the IceHogs winning the United Hockey League's Colonial Cup in 2007 to seeing the community come together to celebrate Corey Crawford's Ring of Honor Night in 2024.