Michael is the founder and managing director at Grant Forbes, LLC, a government relations and business development firm. Concurrently, he serves as Mid-Atlantic executive director for the Consumer Energy Alliance and strategic advisor to HBW Resources. He has spent the past 15 years working in and around politics and government in Pennsylvania and neighboring states.
Since launching Grant Forbes, LLC, Michael has used his extensive political network and governmental knowledge to assist a broad base of clients including Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation, The Efficiency Network, Three + One Advisors, Shelly Lyons Communications, and Steel City Media. He also has garnered significant media coverage as his editorials have been picked up in a number of publications including the Baltimore Sun, Newark Star-Ledger, Philadelphia Inquirer, and Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
During his career in politics, Michael served as the finance director for the successful re-election efforts of United States Senator Bob Casey. Additionally, Michael served as district director for Congressman Jason Altmire and as finance director for Dan Onorato’s gubernatorial campaign. PoliticsPA recognized Michael’s campaign work and listed him as Top Operative. Michael has worked on campaigns at every level from local races to statewide races, including successful campaigns for city council, state house, judicial, congressional, senate, and gubernatorial elections.
Michael’s commitment to working on community development and revitalization issues stems from a lifelong “apprenticeship” working alongside his father, Jim Butler, first at Housing Opportunities, Inc. and then through Tube City Renaissance, Vista Consulting Services, LLC and now as general partner of MY Development Fund, L.P. As someone who grew up in McKeesport, PA, an Opportunity Zone community, Michael knows first-hand the consequences and challenges faced by communities that suffer through decades of disinvestment. It is his hope that the knowledge and expertise he has built over his career can be utilized in meaningful ways for communities across the nation.
Michael holds a B.A. from Dickinson College and a JD/MPIA from the University of Pittsburgh.