Prior to joining 5 Lakes, Andy served for four years as the Chief of Staff at the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, where he spearheaded internal communications, led ongoing strategic planning, and managed special projects to strengthen internal processes and culture.

His tenure in state government followed more than two decades of leadership on environmental and democracy issues in the non-profit sector. After 10 years of grassroots organizing and lobbying to advance federal campaign finance and election reforms with Common Cause, he joined the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) in 2004 where he directed the organization’s fundraising, foundation relations, and financial management programs. He left MEC in 2018 to join Voters Not Politicians as Finance Director for its successful statewide ballot campaign (Proposal 2) to bring independent, nonpartisan redistricting to Michigan.

Over the course of his career, Andy has gained significant experience in digesting complex technical and policy concepts—on issues like clean energy and climate change—and translating them into accessible language for funders, policymakers, and other lay audiences. As senior consultant, he puts those skills to use on behalf of 5 Lakes, its clients, and partners.

An avid runner who enjoys a wide array of outdoor activities, Andy and his wife Shanna live in East Lansing, Michigan where they raised their three children and a colorful cast of rescue dogs.