MICHAEL'S MIND
Engineer by trade, innovator by choice
Let's work together to shatter ceilings and curate value
Innovate.
Execute.
Deliver.
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Get to know how I think...
AI is more than just a buzzword—it's an asset.
To showcase my problem-solving skills and ability to leverage AI, all interactive HTML features were crafted with no prior experience. Explore my projects to see my entrepreneurial spirit and passion for innovation in action.
Explore my projects & tune into my wavelengths...
(Ai Projects: #7, 8 --- Civil Engineering/Construction Projects: #2, 3, 7, 9)
Business Development
Prototyping & Research
Artistic & Creative
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Engineering Foundations
Smartly Sustainable
Naturally Grounded
More about me...
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United States Green Building Council credentials
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LEED Accredited Professional
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LEED Green Rater
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Heavy interest in green building practices, design, and architecture
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Researched sustainable energy solutions in the form of Microbial Fuel Cells
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I want to help build the next evolution of smart communities and assist in the vision of a cleaner world
Striving for Self Sufficiency
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Although my mind has heavy business orientation, my first tool of trade is my engineering ability
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Professional experience in engineering solutions, documentation, and review
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Motivated by hands on problem solving and constantly chasing invention
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My 3D Printer is the coolest thing I own, and I constantly use it for fun projects like a fishing robot or RC car 'engine booster'
Global Perspective
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My mind is at rest in nature, so I escape to the natural world through camping, fishing, kayaking, and hiking
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Involved in my local lake community through initiatives and beach maintenance such as building boat racks, installing boat ramps, and installation of docks
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During the Spring and Summer months, I will be taking my kayak around local lakes in an attempt to fish new waterways
Up for Adventure
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I consider myself to be self sustaining and capable of adapting to any new environment
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It is my personal dream to own my own sustainable homestead
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Hydroponics and aeroponics have always excited me, and will help me create a future home capable of sustainable food production
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A self sustainable homestead is the ultimate engineering challenge to me, where optimization of resources and output are perfectly balanced
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Having studied abroad in Dubai, I have seen how differing world views can affect people, teams, and projects
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Cultural exploration is crucial to understanding the world around us, and it is important to continue exploring the world and its cultures
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My favorite part of Dubai is how rapidly mega projects have been able to be developed - it is truly a marvel to see vast structures implemented so quickly after they've been imagined
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Get me on some groomed mountain trails! Starting off as a snowboarder, I recently learned how to ski and love spending winter months on the slopes
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I've been known to wander off on my own, exploring the boundaries of where I am and navigating the unknown in hopes of finding something new
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It is my goal to camp at every National Park in the United States with the ultimate goal of exploring Alaska and its untouched beauty
The Trophy that Haunts Me:
A Case Study About My Leadership
There is one trophy that I’ve never grasped, yet still festers in my mind. At the University of Delaware, fraternities and sororities compete in a multi-million-dollar cancer fundraiser called Airband, with each organization putting together a performance. It’s not just any competition—it’s a battle of creativity, coordination, and spirit.
Let me tell you something—getting a group of fraternity men to dress up in ridiculous costumes and dance on stage is NOT an easy thing to do. Knowing this, I stepped up as the Airband Chair. The year before my tenure, fewer than five men were willing to participate. The event was seen as a hassle and an afterthought by my organization. I was determined to change that. I saw this competition as a way to contribute to a great fundraising effort, increase our chapter’s image, create relationships, and market ourselves within the other Greek organizations.
For two years, I took on the challenge head-on. My first year, I chose a Disney’s Frozen themed performance. I knew to change my chapter’s culture and attitude, I had to lead by example. Taking on the main lead, I thrust myself into the spotlight in a sparkly dress and matching wig to show my fraternity brothers that this competition wasn’t about embarrassment—it was about embracing the moment, putting on a show, and having fun together.
That first year, something incredible happened. What started as a reluctant handful of brothers turned into a wave of enthusiasm. By the time we hit the stage, I had rallied 50 brothers—dressed in skirts and covered in glitter—into a performance that had the entire campus talking for weeks.
But despite the energy, the commitment, and the overwhelming reaction from the crowd, we didn’t even place in the top three. It was a brutal reminder of the competition we were up against—other organizations had tens of thousands of dollars for costumes, props, and professional choreography. I had just $200.
The next year, I came back with a vengeance. This time, I chose Despicable Me as our theme, covering my brothers in paint to transform them into the cartoon’s beloved ‘minions’. The enthusiasm was even higher—last year’s success had ignited a fire within our chapter and even the smallest demographic of participants from last year, the Seniors, were all in.
But this time, I didn’t try to do it all alone. I learned from my mistakes and built a structure, delegating responsibilities. I formed teams to handle choreography, fundraising, props, and logistics with me overseeing and actively participating in each. The result? A smoother, more refined performance that had thousands of audience members in the palm of our hands. Once again, we brought the house down, but once again, we failed to place in the top three. This time, however, we weren't just the talk of the town, but also raised the most out of any fraternity on campus.
Many people asked why I took a “silly” dance competition so seriously. The truth is, if the leader doesn’t take it seriously, no one else will. I spent two seasons balancing my academic responsibilities with planning every detail—theme, music, costumes, props, choreography, and most importantly, keeping my brothers engaged and motivated. My fraternity recognized this, awarding me the "Effective Attitude" award for my ability to rally a group and inspire action.
Losing twice was tough, but what I gained was far greater than any trophy. I learned what it truly takes to lead:
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To be an effective leader, you need to earn respect, not demand it.
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Effective leaders get down in the mud and pull their team to the finish line.
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Delegation is an asset, not a detriment to your leadership abilities.
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Need to be willing to take everyone’s insights and forge them into one that everyone can get behind.
If you ask me, what is your favorite part about being a leader? I’ll tell you - It’s getting knocked down for everyone to see.
But why would you want the people you’re leading to see you get knocked down? It’s simple - the face they make when you stand up even stronger than before.
In the end, I didn’t take home a trophy for my fraternity or my pride. But I walked away with something far more valuable—the knowledge that a true leader doesn’t just tell people what to do. A true leader shows them why it matters.