About Mike

My first triathlon was the Lake Zurich Olympic distance in 2002. Since then I’ve done several triathlons focusing mainly on the 1/2 Ironman distance. So far I’ve never repeated the same race twice and have travelled to Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin to participate in triathlons. Triathlon continues to have a huge impact on my life physically, mentally, and spiritually.

I’m a software engineer and have the social skills to prove it! I work as a Principal Staff Engineer/Engineering Manager at Motorola. My group does network management software for wireless broadband radio networks.

I have a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Masters in Computer Science from the Illinois Institute of Technology. I was encouraged by my adviser at IIT to enter the PhD program but decided it wasn’t worth it.

I was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Though I mostly grew up in Wayne Michigan, for some reason Stillwater Minnesota feels the most like home to me. I lived there from age 4 to 7 before moving to Pinole California for a year and then back to Michigan where I lived in Ypsilanti, then Westland, and finally Wayne.

My Father was an alcoholic and we left him when I was five. I think that because he was an alcoholic I too have a predisposition towards addictive behaviors. Fortunately I’ve been able to channel it in a positive direction. This is definitely due to the influence of my Mother.

My true given name is Michael, though while growing up I was known by my middle name - Craig. When I graduated high school I was too lazy to have my name legally changed to Craig so from college on I’ve been known as Michael.

I hold an advanced class ham radio license. I passed the written exam for the extra class (the highest classification in amateur radio) but couldn’t pass the morse code test. Though I still have a short wave radio set, I haven’t been on the air for many years.

I’m a Naui certified open water diver. I received my certification on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia while living in Hong Kong. I continue to dive every year or two during family vacations.

When I first moved to the Chicago area in 1988, I crewed on a J24 racing sailboat for a couple of summers. I started out as rail bait and “moved up” to the spinnaker. The spinnaker is the huge, bright, colorful sail that is used on down wind runs. It takes a lot of concentration to fly it correctly. Though I no longer race I continue to sail during family vacations when I can.

I attended a one day jump school and then parachuted over the Sai

Kung valley while living in Hong Kong. I’ve also flown a glider though fortunately I didn’t have to parachute from it.

I’m a 4th kyu (purple belt) in Shotokan Karate, and a 3rd kyu (white belt with a couple of black stripes) in Aikido. Though I no longer attend classes formally I continue to do martial arts as cross training. I also do short form Tai Chi and Yoga frequently.

For a very long time I considered myself an atheist. During an early morning run a few years ago I had an epiphany that changed everything and now consider myself a Christian. I’ve also been heavily influenced by Zen Buddhism.

I was married on October 14, 1995. It was and continues to be the happiest day of my life - followed closely by the births of my two children.

While working in southern Mexico I went 8 months without television. After a couple of weeks I found that I did not miss it. In general I continue to not watch a whole lot of television.

During a backpacking trip to Alaska my wife and I were chased by a bear. We weren’t harmed but my wife will never camp in bear country again. It was my first experience with camping and backpacking. I tend to jump right into things.

I’ve been playing instruments since the fourth grade starting with the Trumpet. In middle school I began playing guitar - studying classical guitar for two years before giving it up for the bass. I currently own and play two basses - a John Myung signature six string bass and a converted piccolo bass. I also play drums and keyboards - though definitely not as well as the bass.

My music tastes are very broad. My current iPod playlists include metal, punk, contemporary christian, country, reggae, classical, traditional and “smooth” jazz, and blues.

I truly enjoy teaching and mentoring others. I have a great deal of patience, am a good listener, and am good at explaining things from multiple perspectives - a skill that definitely comes in handy when helping my kids with their homework!

I’m a certified Level 3 USA Cycling coach and plan to pursue a Level 1 USA Triathlon certification once I can get into one of their training classes. I’ve also been an assistant coach for my son’s Lacrosse team and my daughter’s Soccer team.

In my opinion, Guinness is the only beer really worth drinking. Given the choice between Budweiser and water, I’ll happily go with water. I’m also a big fan of red wine - especially Chianti’s and Shiraz’s.

I have absolutely no self control when it comes to Nutter Butters. The kids know to hide them if my wife buys them because I will eat the entire bag in one sitting. Peanut M&Ms is another weakness.

I’m a total caffeine addict. If I don’t get my coffee in the morning I feel hung over until I do. Anytime I travel I bring my own coffee along just in case.