Mike is our Executive Assistant and Outreach Coordinator, which means he gets to wear a lot of hats. Some of those hats include copywriting, media outreach, handling client service inquiries, conducting interviews for feature articles, managing social media engagement for both Standout Arts and our clients, relaying client needs to the design team, and visiting clients on-site to support and publicize their programs and events.

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Mike came to Standout Arts with a strong background in sales and customer support. For 33 years, he worked with businesses and organizations selling business forms, labels, checks, digital printing, promotional products, screen-printed apparel, and embroidered merchandise. He understands the needs of clients and how to communicate effectively on their behalf.

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When asked which part of his job he enjoys most, Mike says it’s a tie between conducting interviews for articles and participating in on-site client visits. In his words, “I really enjoy talking with people, hearing their stories, and their passion for what they do. And, for some reason, most people are really great about opening up and sharing from their heart. That is a lot of fun.”

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When it comes to working with the team at Standout Arts, Mike shares, “Shannon and Kim and the rest of the team are simply really good people. They all have a strong work ethic and strive to do everything possible to provide our clients with sensational service and work quality. But what really drew me in was their genuine and sincere faith in Jesus Christ. While they do not preach the gospel with words, they witness Christ in all ways with their lives.”

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In addition to his role at Standout Arts, Mike also serves as the Assistant Pastor, Bible Study Leader, and Music Leader at Branch of the Vine Church. His greatest passion is the unified body of Christ, which is the focus of every Bible study he leads. He also has a deep commitment to helping others grow in their spiritual gifts. One of Mike’s guiding beliefs is, “You can’t teach Christ in, you can only draw Him out.” He explains, “Scripture makes it clear that we were created with His Spirit in us. Through Biblical conversation and fellowship, we draw Him out and, in the process, become one with Him and with each other. It’s a beautiful transformation to watch and I’m honored to be part of that.”

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A few little-known facts about Mike:

- He has a daughter and a son, along with nine grandchildren

- He was the quarterback of his high school football team

- He pitched for the baseball team and high-jumped for the track team

- He earned All-State Chorus honors his senior year

- His first stage role was as Bastienne in Mozart’s Bastien and Bastienne

- He served as a scout leader for 20 years

- He graduated from what was then Madison College in 1975 with a degree in Psychology

And, despite all this, he says he has no hobbies!

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Mike’s closing thoughts:

‍“I’m really grateful to be able to work with Shannon and the rest of the team at Standout Arts. I love working with everyone on the team, and I love the clients I have the privilege of working with. I am also incredibly blessed to share in fellowship with those who desire to grow in Christ through my role at Branch of the Vine Church. All that said, I can’t imagine a more fulfilling way to finish out my journey on earth.”