Mitch began his career in the non-profit sector, serving as local, regional, and state executive director and then later working at the national office for a civics-related non-profit organization. In these roles, Mitch engaged dozens of school districts, community partners and funders in supporting efforts to bring about systemic change in educating students and communities about civic duties and processes. His passion for public and community service led Mitch to work in county and state government, where he led a number of state government-wide initiatives to reduce the costs, improve processes and enhance citizen services.
For more than a dozen years, Mitch worked in higher education, striving to make college more accessible and affordable for students. He served as chief of staff at two well-respected college districts in Ohio and California respectively. His California service included expanding housing opportunities for faculty and staff of his district by developing a new housing complex for employees. He also authored and worked with the district’s legislative delegation to pass through both chambers of the California legislature and get signed by the governor SB 893, which enabled his district to make community college free for local residents.
Mitch is active in the community and currently serves on the board of directors of Chamber San Mateo County and as president of the board of Directors of Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County. He is a graduate of Leadership San Mateo County, has been honored as a “Forty Under 40” awardee by the Dayton Business Journal, and received a commission as Kentucky Colonel.
Having grown up in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky, Mitch values the opportunities made available by education. While working full-time, he received an associate degree in communication from Sinclair College, a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Capital University and a master of public administration (MPA) degree from Wright State University.
