What was your internship in MIW?
DOJ Consumer Protection Branch
What attracted you to MIW?
What attracted me to MIW was the ability to work in the legal and political capital of America and the world.
Tell us a little bit about what you're doing now. What was your first job after graduation? Where do you live?
I live in metro Detroit. After graduation, I worked on legislative staff in the Michigan Senate. I now work as a corporate lobbyist for CST Holdings, a traffic safety-focused portfolio group. I have coast-to-coast responsibility and handle a wide range of dynamic issues.
What has been your greatest professional and/or personal accomplishment since MIW?
In the 2023 session, I passed my first bill, a bill in South Carolina that will save many lives and substantially benefit our industry. Countless flights, meetings, fundraisers, and "shoe leather time" paid off in a huge way.
Was there a class and/or experience in MIW that led you to pursue your current career?
Yes! I took the "Lobbying 101" class with Dr. Steven Billet, the former head of Government Affairs for AT&T. Dr. Billet and I are still in touch, and he has provided the most welcome counsel and advice as I start my career.
What three words would you use to describe your experience in MIW?
- FUN!!! I had such a wonderful time meeting wonderful people, exploring one of America's great cities, and having wonderful experiences like exploring Civil War battlefields and seeing an opera at the Kennedy Center.
- Dynamic: being in the center of American policymaking when COVID-19 reached American shores was a neo-apocalyptic but deeply interesting experience, handled with great grace by the MIW team.
- Memorable! It was truly a highlight of my collegiate career...from an impeachment trial to COVID and a million daily adventures in between, I had such a great time. I remember it incredibly fondly.
How has MIW benefitted you in your post-Michigan life?
MIW set me on the path for my current career! Talking to Dr. Billet in my Lobbying class really led me to explore a career in the field of Government Relations. It started me on the process of thinking of a life outside the confines of going to law school and working in corporate transactions. It really began my entry into the political field, seeing so many friends work on The Hill and have great times.
What advice do you have for our current and future MIW students?
Be an active participant in your own life! If you're in MIW, take full advantage of all available opportunities. Think creatively about your use of the cultural fund. My roommates and I pooled our money, had a private battlefield tour guide of Antietam, then rented a car and drove to Gettysburg!! It was incredible. I saw an opera for the first time (Don Giovanni) and made friends that I still communicate with today! For those considering MIW, I cannot recommend it in strong enough terms.
