Why I am running for school board
Born and raised in Grosse Pointe Park, and a 1995 graduate of Grosse Pointe South, I’ve always been passionate about the schools and community that shaped me. I decided to run for a seat on the Grosse Pointe Board of Education seeking to serve our students and community through thoughtful, respectful and collaborative leadership.
The quality of our public schools in Grosse Pointe provides the foundation for the strength of our entire community. We have the state’s best teachers, excellent administrators, dedicated staff, engaged families, and amazing students all surrounded by a community that cares.
Student needs and success should always be at the forefront of every board decision. When we prioritize the students and keep the focus on providing them with the best support, opportunities and outcomes at all grade levels, we can build consensus around even the toughest decisions at the board table.
A little bit about me
I've been married to my wife, Mary, for 24 years, and we've been together for 31—including attending Grosse Pointe South's prom together in 1995. We have three boys: Thomas, a sophomore at MSU who is studying to become a history teacher; Pete, a senior at Grosse Pointe South; and Will, a freshman at Grosse Pointe South.
For more than a decade, I served on the board of the Grosse Pointe Foundation for Public Education and am currently an advisory board member and proud supporter. I have also spent countless hours/days/months and years coaching Grosse Pointe Park Little League and basketball through the Neighborhood Club and St. Paul on the Lake.
Professionally, I am an attorney specializing in commercial litigation and commercial real estate, and have been in private practice since 2002. I earned my bachelor’s degree at Duke University in Durham, NC and my law degree from Washington University in St. Louis. My legal background and practice have given me valuable experience in problem-solving, mediating and resolving high-stakes disputes, analyzing complex issues, and finding practical solutions. I am a partner with Wolfson Bolton Kochis PLLC, a boutique business law firm where I regularly work through financial decisions, human resource issues, and collaborative decision-making.
It would be a tremendous honor to bring those skills and experiences to the Grosse Pointe Board of Education in service to our students, our schools, and our community.
Awards & Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, 2022-23, 2025-26, 2026-27
Michigan Super Lawyers - Real Estate Law, 2025, 2026
DBusiness Magazine Top Lawyers - Real Estate Law, 2024, Municipal Law, 2021
More about me and where I stand.
I had the opportunity to respond to two questionnaires from community organizations, Alliance for GP Public Schools and Pointers for Academic Excellence. Click the links below to learn more about why I’m running and an in depth look at my positions on some of the issues facing our district.
