Mike Price, director of Travois Asset Management, has been with the company for four years. Mike leads and mentors the asset management team, who ensure that our clients’ affordable housing projects meet all of the requirements of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and remain in compliance with state housing agencies, investors and the IRS. Mike is also the first one we seek out at the office when we have an IT question, and he says the additional IT duties provide a good balance.
1. What certifications do you have? Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), National Compliance Professional (NCP), Housing Compliance Manager for HUD (HCM-H) and Rural Development (HCM-R).
2. What attracted you to Travois? It is a small company with a great atmosphere.
3. How do your past experiences help you in your current position? I have always had jobs working in the public and helping to better communities.
4. If your job involves traveling, what places in Indian Country have you enjoyed visiting and why? Wisconsin is probably the most enjoyable and beautiful place I travel to on a regular basis. The sunsets on the remote lakes all over the state can be breathtaking.
5. What is one thing you would like Travois staff and clients to know about you? My father always told me when I was much younger, that no matter what I chose to do in life that I would never be able to do everything for everyone, but I should try my best to do everything I can for anyone who asks for help. I try my best to live up to this standard everyday.
6. What is one of your favorite housing projects that Travois has worked on and why? Lac Courte Oreilles’ home ownership project — It was an overwhelming joy to see community members so excited for the opportunity to own their own homes and to see the whole community so involved in a project.
7. What did you want to be as a kid? A firefighter
8. Do you have a hidden talent? I have been playing the drums since I was 8 years old.
9. Many Travois staff members are animal lovers. Do you have a pet? JD (just dog) is a Chihuahua. He’s my little buddy but is not allowed to come to the office. He’s not real friendly with the other bigger dogs (he has a little dog complex).
10. What is your favorite meal? Those who know me, know I enjoy a good barbecue joint. I travel all across the nation, and I always plan my trips around visiting microbreweries and barbecue spots. Oklahoma Joe’s Bar-B-Que is arguably the mecca of all barbecue restaurants across this nation (and it’s in a gas station for crying out loud). It is the gold standard that I compare all other barbecue against.
11. If you were stranded on a deserted island and could take one item with you, what would it be? A DeLorean DMC-12 with a preinstalled flux capacitor. This is assuming I would have enough area on the island to reach the coveted 88 mph. With this, I could travel back in time and not make the same mistake that put me on the deserted island in the first place.
12. What talent do you wish you had? Play the piano
13. What do you like to do when you aren’t working? I enjoy spending time boating on Smithville Lake, playing golf (although I am not very good at it) and competing in RC (radio controlled) races.
14. What is your favorite thing to do in Kansas City? Although I am a die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan, I am a greater fan of baseball in general. And though it pains me to say it, I always have a good time attending a Kansas City Royals game at Kauffman Stadium no matter who they are playing.
15. What do you like about Kansas City? The easygoing, slower pace for a larger city. What do you dislike? Hopefully they get done with road construction one day. It seems like it has been on going since I moved here in 2007.
16. What is your favorite band? Billy Joel, without a doubt
17. What is your favorite movie? “The Big Lebowski” and “The Blues Brothers” are tied for first.