about me

Hi! I'm Mike, a surgeon who grew up in Hutchinson and attended St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota. My wife, Melissa, and I have four children aged 10 to 22 years old. Like many parents, we believe there is no "one-size-fits-all" when it comes to children. Together, our kids have attended seven out of ten Minnetonka schools. The Minnetonka School District is without a doubt one of the finest in the state, if not the country.

• I will advocate on behalf of all Minnetonka students, parents, and teachers, as well as all of those who work behind the scenes to help make our district great. I was a stage manager in high school, so I know the importance of "unseen" workers. 
• My priorities include fiscal responsibility, creating an effective long-term open enrollment strategy, continued academic excellence with an emphasis on technology and innovation, promoting a culture of belonging, and supporting teachers.
• As a Board-Certified General Surgeon, I can help craft district policy in several areas including health and wellness concerns ranging from the common cold to monkeypox to mental health to crisis response. 
• As a current PhD student in Healthcare Informatics at the University of Minnesota, I have first-hand knowledge of the technological needs of students, as well as what challenges they will face if their paths lead them to colleges/universities.

I've worn many hats, past and present*, as a volunteer in our community and in the communities I've worked in:

• Board Member, Neighborhood Homeowners Association* 
• Treasurer, U of MN Institute for Healthcare Informatics Student Group 
• Treasurer*, Tonka Waters Service Unit for MN/WI River Valleys Council of Girl Scouts
• Assistant Coach, Minnetonka High School Ultimate Frisbee Team
• Trauma Co-Director, Level 3 Trauma Center, Hutchinson Health 
• Member, Resident Council and General Medical Education Committee, Hennepin County Medical Center

• After my election last fall, we finalized the 2023-2024 Board Goals document, increasing and expanding the Board's priorities in the areas of inclusivity and belonging, bullying prevention, fiscal responsibility, and adding focus on the post-pandemic literacy issue.
• Currently, I serve on the Mental Health Advisory Board, TonkaCARES (a consortium of local officials with a goal of addressing substance use and substance use disorders), and I represent Minnetonka in the Association of Metropolitan School Districts.
• I work collaboratively with the other Members of the Board to maintain the high level of academic success and curricular innovation, and use my voice to speak on behalf of special education and other minority groups in the district, seeking to find ways to benefit all students.
• I even had the privilege of being able to hand my stepson his diploma!