From an early age, Michael’s personal library included all topics executive and economic, and the histories of businesses and businessmen were his reference materials. Well-versed in both small business and the free market system, Michael became a runner and then apprentice on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange before he was 21. Michael also spent time abroad studying international finan
ce and banking in England. He and his wife Peggy started their first small business offering computer-generated charts reflecting market data in specific markets traded at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Many traders now take advantage of these technologies to make better investments for themselves and their families. As part of the service, Michael also offered education in technical analysis. After moving to the Twin Cities, Michael and his wife entered the transportation industry, eventually managing dispatch and fleet operations for the largest taxi fleet at the MSP Airport, training their 120+ fleet to provide high quality airport services. It is during this time that Michael began to work in depth with the immigrant community, educating them on American principles and values while helping them better assimilate into our diverse society. When they graduated to owning their own companies, the Katches continued to offer training and assistance in the small business of owning a cab rather than leasing, thus encouraging new Americans in the American way. Michael’s legislative talents have been serving Minnesota for over a decade already. Michael single-handedly wrote the Small Passenger Vehicle Section of the 1999 Omnibus Transportation Bill. He subsequently engineered and spearheaded the industry lobbying effort to get it approved despite the efforts of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, working closely with Minnesota State Representatives Tom Workman and Carol Molnau, who later became Lieutenant Governor. Michael has been very involved in his local and state communities, serving with the Minneapolis School Board’s Citizen Budget Advisory Committee for years. His work in housing ranges from shepherding homeless citizens in need through the maze of city services and donations to rebuilding houses for single mothers and handicapped homeowners with Rebuilding Together. Additionally, Michael’s work on the Temple Israel Social Action Committee helped establish a fulfilling relationship with Families Moving Forward; an exceptional program taking homeless parents and teaching them the skills to work, placing them in a job in which to work and a home in which to live – all within 90 days. Housing families must be one of the highest purposes to which we are called. Every spring, Michael can always be found creating the puppet heads for the Sun Flotilla for the annual May Day Festival in south Minneapolis. 85,000 participants come from near and far to celebrate the Springtime festival. Last year his Tigers were ferocious, and this year his valiant murder of Crows stole the b***y from the evil oppressors to return it to the neighborhoods— just as Michael has done at the state capitol this year as he defends neighborhood programming and the firefighters. Michael’s work in these inner-city environments has earned him the respect of not only the Republican Party, where he currently sits on the Fifth Congressional District’s Central Committee, but the Independence Party of Minnesota, the Libertarian Party and Green Party. Michael has worked hard to erase the lines between parties in Minneapolis, and reached out to partisans of all stripes—he is welcome and accepted in most forums, and respected for his thorough understanding of the budget and budgeting process. Michael and his wife Peggy have been married since 1985 and are the proud parents of Hillary.
