Meet Mike

Mike’s guiding principles are common sense, listening, accessibility, and a focus on kitchen-table issues.​ Mike  grew up in the working class neighborhood of McKees Rocks. He learned the value of hard work from his Steelworker father and stay-at-home mother. Determined to make a difference in the lives of others, Mike worked his way through Duquesne University to become a public school teacher and later earned a Master's Degree in Special Education.​ Mike served as a public school teacher in the South Hills of Pittsburgh for 34 years. Though certified in seven curriculum areas, the vast majority of his classroom experiences were with either learning or socially/emotionally disabled children in high school and middle school.

 

As an educator, Mike learned that issues of social justice and equality profoundly impact all aspects of a community. Mike stepped up for workers' rights as a union leader, being elected President of his local in only his second year as a teacher. Mike ran for and was elected PA State Education Association Vice President, then earned the role of President of PSEA, the largest union in Pennsylvania with over 180,000 members. ​In Harrisburg, Mike worked with statewide leaders and union officials to create the CLEAR coalition and became co-chair of the state labor table from which he helped coordinate efforts to beat back Governor Tom Corbett’s anti-worker, anti-pension, anti-education, and anti-women’s agenda. Through the efforts of leaders like Mike Crossey, Corbett became the first 1-term governor in Pennsylvania’s history since the Commonwealth adopted a 2-term election process.​

 

Seeking to solve challenges that reflected his positions as a teacher and labor leader, Mike became more active in his community. While serving on many boards that benefited children and working families, Mike was nominated as an outstanding citizen. ​Determined to give back to his community, Mike also developed an interest in government, and has twice been elected to public office: Mt. Lebanon Commissioner and Allegheny County Council. Mike handled many of the negotiations between Council and then Executive Jim Roddey. Mike proved to be a successful advocate for a working families agenda.

 

Mike is currently President of PA Alliance for Retired Americans and continues to advocate for both worker and retiree rights.

 

He has earned a real estate license and works as a financial representative with Primerica having licenses in life and health insurance, and series 6 and 63 securities licenses.​ He lives with his wife of 53 years, Eileen in the South Hills of Allegheny County. Mike and Eileen raised 2 children, Michael, an attorney in Philadelphia, and Meghan, a public school teacher in the Pittsburgh region. Mike and Eileen have 5 grandchildren, and love to vacation in Myrtle Beach with the entire family.