Mr. Cole was an award-winning journalist with The Detroit News for seven years before joining GCSI. He worked five years in the newspaper's Lansing Bureau and two in its Washington, DC Bureau, covering the politics of the auto industry. A graduate of the prestigious University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism, Ken has been the recipient of several writing honors, including the Golden Quill Award from the Washington Automotive Press Association; Excellence in Journalism for Highway Safety Award from the National Safety Council; and the International Wheel Award from the Detroit Press Foundation. The former adjunct professor of journalism at Michigan State University also formerly worked for the Ypsilanti Press and the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

I've always had a sincere interest in politics and how it can be used for the greater good. In working for the Senate, various political parties, state representatives and other government and school programs - I've had firsthand experience connecting people and resources to build better communities. I thrive in a creative space where I can construct programs from the ground up and make a powerful impact. And I'm results driven - fostering relationships that produce the most lucrative outcomes for all parties involved.

A consultant and lobbyist, I bridge clients to legislation, ensuring public interest groups, associations, corporations, nonprofits, unions and trade associations have a seat at the law-making table. I have a track record of opening doors the state of Michigan has historically kept shut, with the K-12 appropriations space as an example of where I've made strides - creating Section 99 that identifies how vendors can better partner with the state to provide more cost-effective resources. My consultancy spans strategic planning, forecasting, fundraising, grant writing, grassroots campaigning, and volunteer recruitment in the educational, for-profit and nonprofit sectors.