As Sr. Manager, Curriculum Development, Michael works with other members of AOPA’s curriculum team to plan and write the organization’s High School Aviation STEM Curriculum. A certificated Remote Pilot, he has played a particularly active role in the creation of the curriculum’s UAS pathway. Michael earned both a bachelor’s degree in Business Economics and an MBA at Bradley University, and worked as an accountant in the medical field prior to joining AOPA in 2014 as Financial Analyst. Since that time, he has had the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles within the organization—including Research Analyst and the Manager of AOPA’s Flying Club Initiative—while also earning a master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications from Lasell University. Michael has had a lifelong passion for aviation, and has been flying since 2011. Currently, he is an instrument-rated commercial pilot who enjoys flying both airplanes and helicopters, albeit at different times. He is also an Advanced Ground Instructor, and relishes the challenge of finding fun and creative ways to bring aviation into the classroom.