Mike is a proven leader with more than 33 years of experience in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) leading and executing global combat, combat support and humanitarian operations. Mike has commanded at every level in the RCAF, culminating upon his appointment as Commander from 2015 to 2018, one of the youngest in its history. He joins Bluesky Strategy Group with a wealth of experience in the Ottawa decision-making process and has held senior executive positions in acquisition, strategic planning, international security policy, and national security – where he helped shape the Government of Canada’s response to numerous global security crises.
Mike is a graduate of Canada’s National Security Program as well as the United States Air Force Command and Staff College, and holds a master’s degree in International Relations from Auburn University and an Undergraduate Arts degree from the Royal Military College. He is the founder of the RCAF Foundation and serves on several not-for-profit boards providing governance and leadership advice.
Following command of the RCAF, Mike moved into the private sector where he helped structure and grow a privately owned energy and mining company. He also provided strategic advice to clients on a number of topics, including complex innovative and disruptive technologies, cybersecurity, operational resilience and related technology matters, and safety and security.