Michael began his career as a corporate banker with Bank of Boston. While in business school, a Proctor & Gamble seminar sparked his interest in brand management; he joined Kraft General Foods as an Assistant Brand Manager in 1990. He spent nine years in a series of leadership positions of increased responsibility in brand management, strategy and new product development at Kraft. He led business teams on a wide array of brands and business situations. In 1998 he was named a Category Business Director, with responsibility for a portfolio of businesses with $375 million in annual revenues. While at Kraft, Michael was a leader in Kraft’s community initiatives; chairing division United Way campaigns and serving on Kraft’s alliance with America’s Second Harvest (now Feeding America). He was also the Chairman of the Board of Advisors of New Covenant House, a Connecticut-based hunger-relief organization, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Connecticut and Alabama. In 1999, his dual interests in consumer markets and corporate social responsibility led him to join Newman’s Own, Inc. as Vice President, Marketing. At Newman’s Own, Michael has played a key leadership role in growing the business and positioning the Company for long-term success in pursuit of its philanthropic mission. He was appointed a Corporate Officer of Newman’s Own Inc in 2006. The Newman’s Own Foundation is continuing Paul Newman’s commitment to donate all profits from Newman’s Own to charity - over $285 million has been given to thousands of charities since 1982. Michael is a founder of Team Hole in the Wall, an international athletic team fundraising initiative for Hole in the Wall Camps (founded by Paul Newman, the world’s largest family of camps for children with life-threatening illnesses). He has completed four marathons with the Team and serves on the Development and Team Hole in the Wall Committees for the Camp. He has a BA in Economics from Trinity College, an MBA with Honors (Beta Gamma Sigma) from Georgetown University where he was an MBA Scholar. He lives with his wife Judy and their three sons in Connecticut.
