Mike is a skilled public affairs leader with nationally recognized expertise in competitive intelligence, fundraising, and communications. Prior to joining Gray Space Strategies, Mike was the founder and President of Plante & Associates, where his clients included 9 US Governors, including 3 from West Virginia, 10 US Senators, numerous members of the House of Representatives, and the Mayors of Atlanta, Houston, and Dallas, Texas.

In 2008 Mike served as the research consultant to the Bill Richardson for President campaign. In addition, he has worked for a diverse group of companies and organizations including AT&T, American Home Products, the Juvenile Diabetes Association, the Alabama Education Association, The Wisconsin Education Association and Bahamas Habitat.

Mike is routinely quoted in national public affairs and politics such as The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Hill, Politico, National Public Radio, and The Washington Examiner. He is a frequent guest on Hoppy Kercheval’s WV MetroNews Talkline and Dave Allen’s morning show on WCHS Radio.

Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and an M.T.S in Theology/Ancient Near Eastern Languages from Harvard University.