About Michael:

Born in New York, Michael’s family moved to Miami, FL when he was 4 years old. Despite his severe injuries from the car accident, he became a competitive swimmer, earning a swimming scholarship to Ashland University in Ohio where he earned a Bachelor's degree in Communications. He became a student leader becoming active in student organizations such as Residence House Council, BACCHUS and CAB.

Michael attended The University of Akron where he earned his Master's degree in Higher Education Administration where he served as the Leadership Adviser. In this role, he advised the Associated Student Government, BACCHUS, and provided leadership training for student organizations.

-A mother should watch her son grow up.

-A son should know his mother.

-Neither of these events would happen due to a drunk driver.

Michael has spent over 15 years in Higher Education working with college students. He knows first hand how alcohol can impact a student's academic and athletic career, whether they are in high school or college. He has developed New Student Orientation programs, developed/instructed the First Year Experience course and is currently the Academic Adviser Coordinator for the College of Technology at Kent State University. With a background in leadership development, he has trained Resident Assistants, Orientation Student Instructors and Student Government. Michael has presented at numerous Higher Education conferences for other administrators and students on topics that range from academic advising, peer education, and student leadership.

Michael’s career in entertainment began shortly after his grandfather took him to the magic store around the age of 12. He spent his youth as a magician performing at birthday parties and summer campus. Growing up he was a fan of Abbott and Costello, Robin Williams, and Harry Anderson, which led to his he desire on becoming a stand-up comedian in high school; even practicing his routine in speech class. Michael’s first stand-up routine was at an open-mic night at Uncle Funny’s Comedy Club in Miami, FL when he was just 18 years old.

While in graduate school at The University of Akron, he attended an open mic night at Hilarities Comedy Club (now called The Funny Stop) and within 6 months was working as the opening act there among other local clubs. Throughout his comedy career he has worked with George Wallace and one of his main influences, Harry Anderson.

The Magic of Life began in 1994 while he was in graduate school when one of his students asked him to put on a fun alcohol awareness program for her sorority. While there have been different versions of the program, the two constants have always been the use of humor and his personal story. Michael does not subscribe to the "doom and gloom" method of getting his message across and from what audience members have told him, that is what makes his program so different and effective.

The Magic of Life represents Michael's life in which he was able to live out his dreams. Even though he lives in Ohio, he remains a diehard Miami Dolphins and Miami Hurricanes fan, and if you couldn’t tell by some of the pictures, he is a huge KISS fan too! He lives by one simple rule, "be a son my mother could be proud of."

The Magic of Life represents Michael's life in which he was able to live out his dreams. As an avid KISS fan, and die hard Miami Dolphins fan, he lives by one simple rule, "be a son my mother could brag about to her friends."