In an effort to create a stronger sense of community, the Daily Independent is asking residents to share a little about themselves with some standard questions. Here are Mike Vreeland’s answers.
In an effort to create a stronger sense of community, the Daily Independent is asking residents to share a little about themselves with some standard questions. Here are Mike Vreeland’s answers.
Name: Mike Vreeland.
Where I live: The beautiful Sherwood Heights neighborhood in South Scottsdale.
What I do: I’m the communications director at Valley Presbyterian Church, where I’ve been on staff since 2014.
When & why I moved here: In 2013, as my wife, Laura, and I were starting our family, we wanted to expand from our Central Mesa condo. We looked all over the Valley but found our home tucked right inside Scottsdale in the Trails neighborhood. At the time we really didn’t register just how lucky we were, but all the things that make our city special quickly became apparent.
What I like most about living here: The community we’ve found. It’s the people: both our friends and the people we interact with every day. It’s the places: excellent schools for our kids, amazing restaurants, unique locations like the airport and SkySong, and countless activities. It’s also the spaces: our peerless parks, the greenbelt and preserve, experiences like Canal Convergence and Parada del Sol, the way the library flows into the Civic Center, which flows into Old Town. There’s history and something interesting around every corner, through every neighborhood.
Activities I enjoy: Being a parent to kids not old enough to drive means I spend much of my time as a taxi from activity to activity, but I have come to enjoy the conversations that come with the commutes. I enjoy movies, the occasional video game, and love to hike Camelback when it’s cool (even if it’s in Phoenix). That said, I’m always thinking ahead to my next opportunity to play soccer, swim (at one of Scottsdale’s great public pools), or get on my Peloton. I’m grateful for opportunities to be active, but will admit to two guilty pleasures: Karaoke (anything Sinatra) and eating (Barro’s Pizza… or Handel’s Ice Cream… or Bosa Donuts…)
Clubs/organizations I’m involved in: I currently serve as the chair of the City of Scottsdale’s Parks & Recreation Commission, where I am just finishing my first term. I’ve been able to play an active role in the PTO at Kiva Elementary School, where my daughter attends. I also recently joined the board of directors of Scottsdale Leadership, an organization I’ve been active with since being a member of Class 37. I’ve also coached my daughter’s soccer team for over five years. In 2024, I worked with a talented and diverse team to advocate for propositions 490 and 491, and most recently was on the reelection campaign team for Councilwoman Solange Whitehead. I was very active at my church, VPC, before joining the staff team there.
My favorite charity or volunteer activity and why it deserves support from others: There are so many organizations doing vital work for under served populations in and around Scottsdale, but I’ve had the opportunity to work most closely with Community House and Family Promise, which meet the needs of the unhoused or those about to lose housing. I also have been able to work alongside MentorKids USA, which provides mentoring and leadership development in the Paiute Neighborhood. Scottsdale residents may have a reputation for their financial capacity, but what has inspired me more is their capacity to help those in need.
My No. 1 suggestion to new residents looking for ways to get involved in their community: In Scottsdale, the distance between you and decision makers is small. Reach out, ask questions, and above all be curious. Find organizations deeply embedded in the community, like Scottsdale Leadership, Scottsdale 101 classes, or get active in a faith community.
What one thing would you like to see changed in your community: I have a strong distaste for discourse that says Scottsdale can only be one thing. One of the best things about our city is that it is many different things for many different kinds of people. Scottsdale is both dense and rural, old and young, affluent and not, tourist destination and quiet community, conservative and progressive. Is holding these things in tension difficult? Of course. Is the coexistence of these things part of what makes Scottsdale special? Undoubtedly. Oversimplifying or essentializing these things does our community a disservice, and makes our city less than it can be.
My family: My Fortnite/volleyball/theater, 8th grade son and crafting/soccer/theater, 5th grade daughter really run our house, but don’t tell them that. My wife is coming up on her 20th year working at Arizona State University. Last year we had to say goodbye to our furry canine sidekick, Rogue. Her absence is still felt. We have family as close as Tucson and as far away as Michigan.
People who are an inspiration to me: My parents have modeled so much, probably without even realizing it. They showed success is found through steady, stable calm — nothing flashy. They also taught me to reach for what interests you. My Dad is a computer programmer and a musician. My Mom is a librarian and a social butterfly.
My advice to today’s youth: There is no substitute for time. Whether you want to build community, or relationships, or a career, or your faith, put in the time. Find something that makes someone else’s life better, and do that thing.
Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
Graber joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in February 2023, starting his career as a staff writer covering the City of Scottsdale and was named news editor of the Scottsdale Independent in 2024.
Community: He serves on the altar guild as well as being an usher at St. Mathews Episcopal Church in Chandler.
Education: He earned his BA in creative writing with a minor in journalism from the University of Arizona. He then earned an MS in Mass Communications from the University of Oregon.
Random Fact: He enjoys reading novels by Russian authors.
Hobbies: Playing classical guitar, reading, fishing, going to the gym, watching sports and spending time with his family.
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