Mike began his animation career very early. While in second grade at Cottenwood Elementary, Mike would draw pictures of cats and dogs fighting. In a 2009 interview with the Cincinnati Enquirer's John Kiesewetter, Mike said that "Animations were always the thing I loved. I kept coming back to cartoons and comedy."

After graduating from Finneytown, Mike graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2000 with a degree in Fine Arts and went on to the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA, where he received hs BFA in Animation in 2003. During his time at school in Philadelphia, he received the prestigous Barbara Blondeau Memorial Grant and produced his thesis film, "The Rooster Project", which is described as "A tragic romantic comedy horror cartoon epic in a 12-piece bucket value meal."

Mike has many, many credits to his name including directing 3 episodes of the FOX sitcom "The Cleveland Show", directing and supervising the entire first season of Brad Neely's "China, IL" on Adult Swim, was an assistant director on "American Dad!" including the emmy nominated episode "1600 Candles", and contributed to the production of long-running sitcom "King of the Hill". Mike has also directed a music video for R&B band "Earth, Wind, and Fire". Mike's credits would be incomplete without mentioning the commercials he directed for the Ohio Lottery and Honda, or the animations he provided for commercials for Guinness, Snickers, and Betty Crocker. All told, he has worked as a Creative Consultant, Animator, Animation Director, Writer, Performer, Producer, Executive Producer, Assistant Director, Director, and Supervising Director, not to mention being the long-time Czar of Propoganda for the Citizens Against Safety Goggles.