Mike grew up in Odessa, Mo., and is a 1992 graduate of Truman State University earning a B.S. in finance. While at Truman, he worked at the Student Union Building, participated in the legislative internship program in Jefferson City, Mo., and was active in Sigma Tau Gamma, Student Senate, the Intra-Fraternal Council and.  He also met his future wife, Terri Lyle, at Truman.

After graduation, they lived in St. Louis, Mo., for four years where Mike worked for GMAC and Terri finished her pharmacy degree. They were then led to Beaumont, Texas, for three years while Mike ran an office for Mercury Finance. After their first child was born, they moved back to Kansas City, Mo., and settled in the Northland. Mike currently serves as vice president of consumer lending for UMB Bank.