Michael Knapp

Mike is the CEO and Co-Founder of SkillSmart. SkillSmart was founded first as a company creating a pipeline of skilled workers that matched the needs of local and regional employers. While this is still a central part of the business, during talks with local construction companies, he noticed a need for better compliance tracking of subcontractors, data reports to local governments and employee tracking during construction projects. This led to the creation of the InSight product.

With more than 22 years of experience in technology, public policy and local government, Mike has served two terms on the County Council of Montgomery County, MD, and was elected Council President, which gives him first-hand insight into how creating a pipeline of skilled workers that match the needs of local and regional employers can stimulate the economy.

Before founding SkillSmart, Mike founded Orion Ventures, a consulting firm providing strategic guidance to public and private sector organizations. Prior to that, he managed business development at Celera, the National Center for Genome Resources, and The Institute for Genomic Research, and served as legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Peter V. Domenici of New Mexico.

A graduate of The College of William and Mary, and a 10-year officer in the U.S. Army Reserves, Mike furthers his passion for public service by serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees at Montgomery College, as Chair of the Board of Advisors of the Universities at Shady Grove, co-chair of Montgomery Moving Forward and as a member of the board of the Healthcare Initiative Foundation and Identity, Inc.

In addition to learning through classroom, work experience and community engagement, Mike built his skills in planning, operations and teamwork as a volunteer member of the Montgomery County, MD Urban Search and Rescue Team.