Michael "Mike" Yakawich is an American politician serving as a member of the Montana House of Representatives from the 51st district. He was appointed to the House in April 2022.
Early life and education
Yakawich is a native of Butte, Montana.[1] He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of Montana in 1980 and graduated from the Unification Theological Seminary in 1987.[2][3]
Career
From 1995 to 2018, Yakawich operated a small business, Yakawich Gifts. From 2014 to 2022, he served as a member of the Billings City Council. Yakawich also worked as a regional director of the Global Peace Foundation. On April 19, 2022, members of the Yellowstone County Board of Commissioners appointed Yakawich to succeed Frank Fleming in the Montana House of Representatives.[4][5]
Personal life
Yakwich was raised Catholic and joined the Unification Church in 1979.[6] He and his wife, Yukiko, have five children. He is a pastor at the Montana Family Church, a congregation affiliated with the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.[7]
References
- ^ "Billings Family Church only one of its kind in state". Billings Gazette. 26 March 2004. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
- ^ "Yakawich to Complete Term for HD51 | Yellowstone County News". Retrieved 2022-05-10.
- ^ Yakawich (UTS ’87), Mike (2 February 2016). "Loving your Enemy - A Reflection". Unification Theological Seminary. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Rogers, Rob (19 April 2022). "Mike Yakawich appointed to fill Yellowstone County Legislative seat". Billings Gazette. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
- ^ "Mike Yakawich". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2022-05-10.
- ^ "Montana Kaimin, May 6, 1980". Associated Students of the University of Montana.
- ^ "Yakawich, Mike". journals.uts.edu. Retrieved 2022-05-10.