Who Is Michael Stern?

Michael Stern is a current employee at the Town of Carmel Highway Department, who, through an "epic write-in campaign" won election to be the next Carmel Highway Superintendent, beginning his term in January of 2024.

Mike has spent most of his life in the Town of Carmel, having been born and raised in Mahopac, where he currently resides with his wife, Nicole, and their two young sons. After graduating from Mahopac High School in 2001, Mike obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation & Park Administration, with a focus on Facility Management, from the University of Florida.

After college, Mike would embark on a career in the hospitality industry, joining the management team of boutique hotels in three of New York City's most exclusive neighborhoods. Working in such a highly competitive environment taught Mike the importance of being intensely customer-focused and responsive to the wants and needs of a demanding clientele; skills that will serve him well in the role of Highway Superintendent.

After several years of the fast-paced New York City lifestyle, Mike sought a change and decided to return to his roots, in Mahopac, which his family has called home since his grandparents moved there in 1955.

In 2009, he began his career with the Town of Carmel Highway Department, where he is now in his fifteenth year. Over the course of that time, Mike has demonstrated strong leadership skills and accumulated extensive institutional knowledge of the department's day-to-day operations.

In 2016, while serving as an assistant shop steward, Mike was instrumental in the negotiations that finally secured a fair deal for he and his union brothers after five years without a contract; cementing the trust and respect he has among his colleagues. 

Mike's education, his understanding of the town's infrastructure, the invaluable hands-on experience he has gained throughout his time with the department, the rapport and relationships he has formed with the crew at 55 McAlpin, combined with his longstanding ties to the community, make him a uniquely qualified candidate, capable of a seamless transition into the demanding role of Highway Superintendent.