Michael is a recognized leader in tourism and aviation in Canada. Prior to joining Ottawa Tourism, Michael served as Senior Vice President with InterVISTAS Consulting, where he was responsible for the firm’s airline, air service development, and tourism practices in Canada. Michael has over 15 years experience at the management level with two of Canada’s major airports, the Winnipeg Airports Authority and the Ottawa International Airport Authority.

Michael is very active within the tourism industry and other business groups. He is a Board member with the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, and with the Ottawa International Hockey Festival, and serves as a member of the Program Advisory Committee for the Bachelor of Tourism & Hospitality Management Degree Program at Algonquin College. He has also been a Board member with the Ottawa 2017 Bureau, Invest Ottawa, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), Ottawa Tourism, and Ottawa’s Tourism Development Council.

In 2017, Michael was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, recognizing his contributions to Canada. Michael’s business leadership and volunteerism has been formally recognized by a broad range of stakeholders, such as Airport Business Magazine, the Ottawa Business Journal, and Ottawa’s own tourism industry.

Michael has a Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Manitoba and he is a Certified Barbecue Judge.