Michael was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey and graduated from New Jersey City University with a B.A. degree in Political Science.  Upon graduation in 1967, Michael began his teaching career at Colonia Senior High School in Woodbridge, NJ where he taught American History, Economics and International Studies.  After departing the teaching profession, Michael became a self-employed businessman.  He and his wife Ann, of forty-one years, along with their sons, are the owners of Mulberry Street Italian Food Center, an exclusive Specialty Food Center in Ocean County, NJ. 

Michael has been a member of the Rotary Club of Brick Township for the past twenty-two years, during which he has proudly served in all positions of leadership culminating in the Presidency in Rotary year 1993-94.  In addition to his presidency, he has held numerous district-wide positions, which include District Club Service Director from 1994-96 and District Governor in 1997-98.  Following his tenure as District Governor, Michael served as District Trainer for four years as well as a faculty member of several Zone Institutes and as Regional Vice Chair of the Rotary Leadership Institute.  Michael is also very proud to have been elected to serve as his Rotary District’s Representative to the Council on Legislation in 2001, 2004 and will serve again in 2007.  

In the Rotary year 2001-02, Michael served as RI Membership Coordinator for Zone 32 and was reappointed by RI President Bhichai Rattakul for a second term.  During this time he also served as Promotions Division Chair for Zones 31-32 Institute in Williamsburg, Va., as well as, being his District’s Representative for the Nominations Committee for Director. 

 In the Rotary Year 2003-04, Michael served as RI Poverty Alleviation Task Force Coordinator for Zone 32.  During this time, he was the Operations Division Chair for the Zone Institute held in Burlington, Vt.   

During the Rotary Centennial year, Michael was asked to serve as the Family of Rotary Coordinator for Zone 32 and was selected by RI Director Dave Linett to be the General Chair of the Zone Institute for 2004 for the Centennial Celebration in Cambridge, Md.

 In 2004 RI President Jonathan B. Majiyagbe appointed Michael to be his personal representative to the 7980 District Conference in Lancaster, Pa. and in 2005, President Glenn E. Estess Sr. appointed Michael as his personal representative to the 6670 District Conference in Wilmington, Ohio and this past Rotary Year President Carl Wilhelm Stenhammer appointed Michael to represent him at the 7790 Conference in Bar Harbor, Maine. 

Michael was the Grand Marshall of the 1999 Columbus Day Parade, was recognized as Citizen of the Year by the Ocean County Cultural Society 2001, and was his Rotary Club’s Rotarian of the Year 2002.  He is a multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a Major Donor and Benefactor of the Permanent Fund, a Charter Member of the Bequest Society of the Rotary Foundation, as well as a recipient of the Meritorious Service Award.  Michael is presently serving his second year as Zone 32 Strategic Advisor of Annual Giving.   Michael has been elected to serve as the Executive Trainer for Mid-Atlantic P.E.T.S. that comprises six districts in Delaware, Pa, and NJ. 

Michael and Ann have three sons, all Rotarians, Michael Jr. and Ralph, both graduates of LaSalle University, Philadelphia, Pa., and Mark, a graduate of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fl.  Michael and Ralph share in the ownership and operation of the family business while Mark is employed as a Captain with Jet Blue Airlines.  Michael’s commitment to the Rotary Foundation is “from the heart” as evidenced by his entire family, wife, parents, children, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren all having been recognized as Paul Harris Fellows.