Mike is the Co-Chair of the firm’s Energy Practice Group and prior Chairman of the Firm’s Government Group. Mike has extensive experience working with manufacturers on gas and electricity related issues. He is also working directly with a number of advanced / renewable energy companies on finance and regulatory issues. Mike's practice includes oil and gas issues, particularly as it relates to shale opportunities. Prior to joining McDonald Hopkins, Mike was the Director of Governor Taft’s Regional Economic Development Office in Cleveland, where he was the senior liaison between the Cleveland business community and the Governor. While at the Governor’s office, Mike worked on securing state funds for local projects ranging from infrastructure improvements to tax credits for job creation to capital improvement projects for the region. Mike continues to assist clients in financially engineering their projects with the assistance of public support. Mike is also a former member of the Ohio General Assembly and the former Co-Chair of the Cuyahoga County Republican Party.