Mike's passion for wine (and food) is only slightly eclipsed by his passion for marketing and business development. Having spent more than 15 years in the marketing industry, Mike has worked with some of the world's biggest brands (Ford, Nestlé, Citibank, Miller Brewing Company...), promoting them mostly through unconventional channels. Whether through sports, event, field, direct, online or guerilla marketing, Mike has developed global brand relationships and executed some of the industry's most successful marketing campaigns.
Mike grew up outside Detroit, and has lived in London, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco, but has called Chicago home for over 10 years. Despite Mike's two national championship titles in the 100-yard Butterfly, he prefers walking or biking to swimming. He enjoys exploring Chicago's lakefront, as well as its enormous spectrum of dining experiences—particularly the restaurants that feature Oriel wines. Mike is also an enthusiast of Chicago's robust theater world and has served as President of Steppenwolf Theatre's Auxiliary Council since 2003.
Mike holds a BA in History and Art History from Boston University's College of Liberal Arts, and Masters Degree in Marketing Communications from Boston University's Graduate School of Communications.
