Mike came to Chicago in 1979 with a degree in Urban Planning from Michigan State University. He went to work for the Village of Lombard and was the Director of Planning and Zoning when he left in 1985. Over the next 7 years he oversaw the leasing and development of over 4 million square feet of retail space throughout the Midwest for Draper and Kramer/Harold Carlson Associates. In 1993, Mike joined American Stores (Jewel/Osco) and became Vice President-Real Estate for the Midwest Region and in 1999 took a similar position with Safeway (Dominick s). During his tenure at American Stores and Safeway he was responsible for the development of over 150 Food and Drug stores in 12 states.