Meet Michael
I moved to Traverse City in October 2023 with my wife, who was born and raised here. We came from Fort Worth, Texas, and spent nine months living with her parents while getting settled. During that time, I was between jobs, which gave me the chance to reflect on what I wanted next.
In May 2024, I joined Traverse Connect, where I now work closely with business owners and community leaders. That role, along with serving on the Women’s Resource Center Board and managing the Traverse Connect Ambassador program, has given me a front-row seat to the energy and possibility of this region. One of the best things about Traverse City is how people show up for each other. Winters may be long, but they bring out a resilience and neighborliness that makes summer all the more rewarding.
For fun, I love exploring local trails, beaches, and lakes. When family visits, we always show off the quaintness and splendor of Leelanau County and the broader Grand Traverse Region. What excites me about the future here is the balance between growth and values: building opportunity while keeping Traverse City the kind of place people want to call home.
MICHAEL CAN HELP YOU WITH:
- Real estate & housing
- Arts & culture
- Community
- Outdoor activities
- Moving a business here
- Career opportunities / job-hunting
- Financial services
- Charitable organizations and volunteer opportunities
- Remote work
- Office space
INSPIRATION FOR MOVING HERE:
Everyone, and I mean everyone, who leaves this place will realize that the grass is always greener in the Grand Traverse Region.
If you want a great quality of life and a place you can call home forever, Traverse City is the place for you. I meet people on a daily basis that have travelled the world over and have come to Traverse City to settle down and enjoy a world class quality of life. I want to help shape our community’s future by helping new, young people settle here and navigating the challenges that come with moving to any new city.
TOP TIP?
Be patient and open to change. Getting established takes time. I’ve spent the past two years getting established here. I loved the process, and while difficult at times, absolutely worth it. In my role, I’ve unfortunately seen people give up and move away because they weren’t able to find what they wanted here, and I’d love to be the person who can help someone make it here in Northern Michigan.
