My most recent and significant role was as Chief Legal Officer at Wild Bills Tobacco from 2011 to 2024. In this position, I served as the primary legal advisor to the executive team of a major regional retailer with over 1,000 employees and 200 locations. My responsibilities included managing a legal team, overseeing compliance in a heavily regulated industry, handling real estate transactions, managing litigation, and serving as a key strategist in the company's growth from 17 to over 200 locations. Additionally, I acted as the lead property manager for the CEO's 65 commercial investment properties, including the development and management of a Walgreen's portfolio and numerous multi-tenant centers. I successfully negotiated multi-million dollar service and commercial contracts, ensured compliance and enforcement of contracts, and oversaw the Human Resources department. My role also involved assessing known and anticipated risks to the company, overseeing numerous acquisitions of competitors, managing the intellectual property portfolio and litigation, and acting as a liaison with lobbying firms. I appeared and testified before various House and Senate committees, successfully lobbying for numerous bills that later became enacted laws benefiting the company.

I have represented national and regional retailers or their franchisees, such as Biggby Coffee, Little Caesars Pizza, Mattress Word, Lady Jane's Haircuts for Men, Anytime Fitness, Snap Fitness, Title Boxing, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and many others.

Prior to these roles, I was the President, owner, and General Counsel of SCM, Inc./Mela Development Co. from 2001 to 2011. This position involved managing 30 multi-tenant shopping centers, acting as a general contractor for numerous construction projects and tenant build-outs, and handling all aspects of commercial real estate development and management.

My early legal career included roles at Richard Connor Riley and Associates (1998-2001) and Fried Watson and Bugbee, PC (1995-1998). In these positions, I specialized in land use, zoning, and entitlement law, representing Fortune 500 corporations and the City of Novi. I have appeared before, and presented to, over 200 planning commissions, zoning board of appeals, Township Boards and City Councils.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated expertise in real estate law, corporate governance, compliance, and business operations. I have also been involved in legislative processes, appearing before House and Senate committees, and successfully lobbying for beneficial legislation.

I am an owner in numerous Wild Bills Tobacco stores and also a vertically integrated Michigan cannabis company, Levels Cannabis.

My professional affiliations include membership in the State Bar of Michigan, holding a Michigan Builders license, and being a licensed Real Estate Broker. I have also served on local government boards and commissions, including the State of Michigan Marihuana Advisory Board (appointed by Governor Snyder), City of Huntington Woods Planning Commission and the City of Rochester Hills Zoning Board of Appeals.

I hold a Bachelor of Science in Physiology from Michigan State University, having graduated with honors, and a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School, and obtained my State of Michigan law license in 1995.

This diverse background showcases a unique blend of legal expertise and business acumen, particularly in highly regulated industries and real estate development.