Mike serves as the Director of the Early Childhood Innovation Center at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Institute for Human Development, a research and training organization, that includes a focus on developmental disabilities. He leads local and statewide projects related to workforce development, quality improvement, professional development systems, and early childhood mental health.

Formerly, Mike was the Director of Research and Evaluation for the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership in Chicago, where he taught graduate courses in early childhood administration. While at the McCormick Center, Mike led the initiative to develop the Whole Leadership Framework and created the L.E.A.D. Early Childhood Clearinghouse.

He is co-author of "Building on Whole Leadership: Energizing and Strengthening Your Early Childhood Program" (Gryphon House). Mike's background also includes experience as an executive director, researcher, adjunct instructor, and operations manager at various organizations including UMKC, Metropolitan Community College, and a child care center and a private K- 8 academy.

Mike and his wife Terri, live in rural Platte County north of Kansas City. They enjoy a large family of three children, seven grandchildren, and one great grandson. They are active in their church and love working with the preschool in Guatemala, which they helped to create.