It takes a lot of vision and hard work to run a city like ours.
Everything we enjoy about Bloomington and our community is a product of that investment. I’d like to serve as your Ward 5 Alderperson and help our city—and everyone in it—grow and thrive by working to enhance public services, promote economic development, find affordable housing solutions, and keep our community safe for us all.
With more than 25 years of business experience, I know how to keep many interconnected yet independent functions in sync, moving toward the overall goal. Here are just a few of the things I’ve accomplished and ways I’ve contributed to our community over the years.
#StrazaForWard5 #BuildingBloomingtonTogether
My entire career has revolved around identifying areas of potential, weeding out the problems, and defining a solid path for growth. My experience will be a powerful resource for Building Bloomington Together.
Passionate Entrepreneur: Over the years, I’ve started and maintained six businesses.
Business Consultant: I’ve helped more than a dozen owners grow and accelerate their businesses.
Entrepreneurship Committee Member for the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN): We’re driving innovation and economic growth throughout the state by collaborating with Illinois State University, other Illinois universities, and IIN.
Fractional CFO/COO: I’ve helped dozens of nonprofits, businesses, and entrepreneurs gain stability financially and operationally for greater growth and impact.
Mentor with Workforce180 for United Way of McLean County: I’m encouraging young adults in the Workforce180 initiative as they pursue education and professional development for a bright future.
In addition to my work experience, I’m heavily involved in community service for both Bloomington and Normal. These opportunities have given me extensive insight into the complex nature of making a city thrive.
- Bloomington Zoning Board of Appeals (2020–present)
- Illinois Innovation Network (IIN) – Entrepreneurship Committee (2019–present)
- Illinois Small Business Development Center of McLean County Board (2018–2021)
- Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council OneVoice Trip Representative in Washington D.C. (2018, 2019, 2020)
- Business & Economic Development Exploratory Teams (2017–2018)
- Economic Vitality Advisory Group (2018)
- American Red Cross Executive Board (2006–2015) & Disaster Volunteer
- TEDxNormal Planning Team (2017–2018)
- Workforce180 Mentor for United Way of McLean County (2023–present)
- Illinois Art Station Board Member (2024–present)
My name is Mike Straza, and I’m running for Ward 5 Alderperson for the city of Bloomington.
Bloomington has been home for me since 1983. My family relocated here from Urbana just before I began the seventh grade. I attended BJHS back when it was located at the building on Washington Street. Then at Bloomington High School, I ran cross country and track—an activity that paved my path toward a running scholarship at Illinois State University.
I also met my wife, Erin, at BHS. My high school sweetheart consults nonprofits as a donor engagement strategist. We celebrated our 32nd wedding anniversary in 2024, and we’ve lived in the same house in Ward 5 for 27 years now. I speak for both of us when I say we love our home, our neighborhood, and our community. We love to walk, run, and bike all around—so don’t be surprised if you see us out and about!
While at ISU, I studied economics and business. I find nothing more exciting or satisfying than taking an idea from concept to reality. Small business ownership and development is a lifelong passion of mine. And my work over the years shows it, as I’ve had plenty of experience in business ownership, operations management, business / nonprofit consulting, and community building and volunteering. Right now, I am working with nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies as a Fractional CFO/COO.
In all these experiences, I’ve learned a lot about business strategy, taking care of people, and working in teams. Now, I would like to apply all those lessons to benefit our entire community on a larger scale, and I have my sight set on serving as Ward 5 Alderperson for Bloomington.
Serving you as Bloomington’s Ward 5 Alderperson would be an honor and joy. Let’s start Building Bloomington Together.