Hi, my name is Michael Gates, everyone calls me Mike. Most people recognize me wearing a baseball hat. I am passionate about volunteering with 4-H because my daughters are active participants in the program, and I have seen firsthand the valuable life lessons they have gained. I am eager to support 4-H and contribute to its mission of empowering young people to reach their full potential.

With about 25 years of experience in the fire department, starting my career in the Air Force as a firefighter, I have dedicated my professional life to public safety and emergency response. In the last couple of years, my career moved within the fire department to fire prevention and safety. Along with me being a firefighter in the fire department, I serve as a state college instructor for technical studies, and I am also a certified fire instructor, EMS instructor, and CPR/AED/First Aid instructor. My background includes working as an emergency technician in our local hospitals for several years while maintaining my full-time duties as a firefighter.

I come from a large family with three sisters and two brothers, and I am the second youngest. I have 14 nieces and nephews, and we cherish our family times together, often gathering for barbecues and family events. My wife and I have been happily married for over 15 years. She has been dedicated to teaching at the same school for over 15 years. We met during her time at Colorado State University, where she was pursuing an educational degree.