Michael is a recognized leader in travel and tourism in Canada. In his current role, he leads Ottawa’s official destination organization, which spearheads sales and marketing initiatives for attracting visitors to Canada’s capital, while also making investments in the long-term stewardship and development of the destination.

Prior to joining Ottawa Tourism, Michael served as Senior Vice President with InterVISTAS Consulting, where he was responsible for the firm’s airline, air service development, and tourism practices in Canada. Michael has over 15 years experience at the management level with two of Canada’s major airports, the Winnipeg Airports Authority and the Ottawa International Airport Authority.

Michael is very active within the tourism industry and other business groups. He is a Board member with Destinations International, the Ottawa Convention Centre, the Ottawa International Hockey Festival, and he is a member of the Advisory Committee for the Hospitality & Tourism Management Degree Program at Algonquin College. He is the Co-Chair of the Canadian Destination Leadership Council with Destinations International; he has been the Board Chair of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Ottawa Board of Trade; and he has also served on the boards of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau and Invest Ottawa. He is a volunteer member of the Advisory Council for Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking.

Michael is a Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and he is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Michael’s business leadership and volunteerism has been formally recognized by a broad range of stakeholders, such as Airport Business Magazine, the Ottawa Business Journal, le Regroupement des Gens d'Affaires de la Capitale Nationale, and Ottawa’s own tourism industry.

Michael has a Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Manitoba and he is a Certified Barbecue Judge.