Mike Knowles

Director of Military Programming + Senior Planner

Mike Knowles is a project manager, senior military planner, programmer, and cost estimator with 25 years of experience in military planning and staff management across all branches of the Department of Defense. Since joining The Urban Collaborative in 2019, Mike has brought extensive expertise to the development of metropolitan and regional planning studies, customer concept documents, and comprehensive installation development and execution plans. He is also skilled in conducting facility utilization studies, detailed requirements and stationing analyses, and facilities GAP analyses.

Mike has supported real property Financial Improvement Audit Readiness (FIAR) initiatives by conducting asset evaluation and validation activities for millions of square feet of DoD and DLA real property assets globally. His contributions ensure compliance and enhance facility management for installations and bases worldwide.

A 20-year U.S. Army veteran, Mike served as an installation Master Planner during the last seven years of his military career. After retiring, he pursued further education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master of Science in Business Management with a Project Management Specialization from the University of Maryland, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning from Arizona State University. His experience and leadership make him a vital asset to The Urban Collaborative team.