Catching up with Michael Grider
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
You probably know Michael Grider, who served Tim Burchett when he was Knox County Mayor and then went with him to Congress. Did you know Grider is a Cubs fan, an Oak Ridge native, and a former college newspaper reporter?
The Knoxville Focus caught up with Grider recently and asked some questions.
Fourteen years with Congressman and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett… What prompted your leaving as his main staff member?
Spending the previous decade-and-a-half working for Congressman Burchett—both in his mayoral administration and later as his chief of staff in Congress—was a tremendous honor, an outstanding opportunity and a ton of fun. However, I never wanted to have a government paycheck my entire life and always had the dream of starting my own business and striking out on my own.
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to have a front row seat to some pretty significant events in our nation’s and world’s history. Also during that time, we built an outstanding team of hardworking, dedicated individuals committed to serving East Tennesseans. I’d seen and done a lot, and it was the right time to do something different and let someone else help lead the congressman’s efforts on Capitol Hill.
Tell us about your new venture in business and consulting.
In July of 2024, I founded Foothills Strategies, which is a business and non-profit organization consulting firm focused on government relations and public relations. I help clients with major capital fundraising campaigns, strategize how to address regulatory challenges, gain media attention, and build key relationships within the public and private sectors. I get to go spend every day connecting with great people, whether they’re in East Tennessee, Nashville, Washington, D.C., and beyond.
Tell us about your family.
My wife, Leah, and I just celebrated our first wedding anniversary and recently purchased a home in Knox County. She is a senior member of Congressman John Rose’s team and spends a great deal of her time between Knoxville, Middle Tennessee, and Washington, D.C. We don’t have children just yet, but hope to start a family in the near future. We attend City Hills Church off Papermill and love it as our church home.
What are your hobbies or interests?
People who know me might say that hobbies are my hobby. I have a habit of becoming interested in something, deep diving into it for a few years, then moving on to something else. For that reason, I have a ton of interests, but my hobbies are more experiential and less about collecting things, etc.
I love to play golf and find it’s a nice way to relax (I’m terrible, but I don’t get too upset about that on the course) and spend time with friends or build new relationships. I’m also a big Chicago Cubs fan, a bit of a coffee snob and have really enjoyed getting into and learning about premium cigars over the past several months, which happens to be my most recent deep-dive hobby. As a couple, my wife and I really love going to NASCAR races, traveling and spending time outdoors.
What do you miss the most about living and serving in Washington, D.C.?
There are a few things I miss about living and working in DC. First of all, I got to know some great people during my time in our nation’s capital, and I miss seeing those folks on a regular basis. Of course, having 24/7 access to the United States Capitol is something I’ll always miss, in addition to the occasional White House visit. Finally, the restaurants. DC has a bunch of world-class restaurants, so there was always somewhere cool and tasty to go for dinner. That said, I don’t regret a single day spent here in East Tennessee and would gladly pick Knox County over DC any day.
Tell us about growing up in Oak Ridge.
Growing up in Oak Ridge, I couldn’t wait to move to a bigger town or city and get away from home. Now that I’m 42 and have lived in Knoxville and moved to DC and back, I have a new appreciation for the small city I grew up in. As a teenager, especially, I was fortunate, because I caused a lot more trouble than I got caught at, but those stories are better told over coffee or a chilled bourbon, with a cigar.
Oak Ridge was big enough that you didn’t have to leave town if you didn’t want to. We had a mall and plenty of stores, several restaurants, two movie theaters, and, at one point, I remember there being a nightclub that catered to minor teens. There was no alcohol on the premises, and it was in the old K-25 Federal Credit Union building near Grove Center. Oh … and the massive (this thing really is huge!) spring-fed pool. Summers spent jumping off the platform in the center of the pool, enjoying a real concession stand with burgers, fries, and nachos with the warm spicy cheese that came out of one of those questionable pumps…not some sanitary plastic cup with a peel-off lid. Those were the days.
You were a reporter for the UT Daily Beacon; tell us about your interest in journalism and public information.
I only spent a short time as a reporter for the UT Daily Beacon, but both stories I wrote were on the front page, above the fold, back before the Beacon changed its format. One was about the new (at the time) buses that were transporting students across campus, and the other involved UT Football and a Hurricane Katrina victims benefit event, if I remember correctly. Really, most of my college journalism and communications work was done at the student-run radio station, WUTK, which, like so many other things, isn’t what it used to be.
I became involved with WUTK and the Daily Beacon after deciding to become a journalism and electronic media major. I made that decision in the immediate aftermath of 9/11. I was a freshman and living in Clement Hall when the attacks occurred. Like everyone else in the country, I was glued to news coverage all day and knew immediately that this would likely be the most significant global event my generation would face in our lifetime. I was in awe of the news reporters live on the scene, covered in soot and debris. After that, I decided I wanted to look into a career in journalism and eventually landed in radio news, then television news, then government and politics. It’s been a ride!
Are you involved in political campaigns and have you ever thought of running for an office?
It’s something I’ve considered on and off over the years, but I don’t have any immediate plans to run for office. As for my involvement in political campaigns, I try to stay plugged in where I can. The only campaign I’m working with directly is Larsen Jay’s campaign for Knox County Mayor. He’s a hardworking Republican who has done a ton for our community, and I think his experience in business, non-profits and on the Knox County Commission will make him a great mayor.
I mentioned Congressman John Rose earlier. I’ve gotten to know him quite well since he and Congressman Burchett entered Congress together in 2019. He’s a wonderful man with strong conservative values, and he’s currently a candidate for the Republican nomination for governor of the State of Tennessee. He’s an 8th-generation Tennessee farmer, successful businessman, dedicated husband and father, and very effective member of Congress. He’ll make a great governor, and I’m honored to volunteer in support of his campaign when needed.
