Mike graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY in 1989 with a degree in Marine Transportation. He sailed on US flagged tankers for five years, carrying chemicals, refined products and crude oil - and obtained his Unlimited Master's license in 1995. He began his shore side career with Stolt-Nielsen in their demurrage and operations department before returning to school.

In 1999 he graduated from New York University's Stern School of Business with a degree in Finance and International Business. He spent 8 years as a tanker broker in both Connecticut and Houston before joining Imarex in June 2007, where he served as VP of Research and Marketing for both dry bulk and tanker shipping. He has been with Phillips 66 since 2010.