BACKGROUND: Michael Minardi was born and raised in Tampa, Florida. He attended local schools and a local university. His family has resided in Tampa over 90 years. His father was a well known attorney and his mother was a retired teacher. In Jesuit High School, he was a member of the Student Council. At the University of South Florida, he was president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, and was active in interfraternity Council and Student Government.

MILITARY SERVICE: Mr. Minardi was a member of the United States Marine Corps Reserve from 1963 to 1971 and 1988 to 1990. He enlisted during his senior year in high school and served at duty stations at Parris Island, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, California and Tampa, Florida. In boot camp he was the outstanding Marine of the platoon. At the Fourth Amphibious Battalion in Tampa he was a Platoon Commander in charge of 35 men and 11 tanks. He attained the rank of Sergeant (E-5) and was honorably discharged twice, July 1971 & January 1990. His second tour of duty was at Headquarters Marine Corps in Washington, DC with the Public Relations Detachment where he did photography and instructed Marine Combat Correspondents at duty stations around the globe.

Staff Sergeant Minardi is currently a Photojournalist for the 29th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (MPAD) of the Maryland Army National Guard since March 2002. He is a Staff Sergeant (E-6) has served as the NCOIC (Non Commissioned Officer in Charge) of a team of Print Journalists. In 2003 he worked full time for the Public Affairs Office at the 5th Regiment Armory in Baltimore. He has covered many of the activities of the Maryland National Guard which include snow storms and blizzards, Hurricane Isabel, training at Fort Bragg, Fort Meade, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Camp A.P.Hill, and the Pentagon.

During the end of 2003 and the beginning of 2004, Minardi served in a combat status in Kosovo as a Press Officer for KFOR and UNMIK. His photos and stories appeared in the Guardian East and the KFOR Chronicle. He won First Place in the KFOR Photo Contest.

EDUCATION:
B.A. degree from the University of South Florida, 1969
Major: International Marketing
Minor: Business Management and Engineering
He completed one term of Law School at Florida State University.
Graduate Jesuit High School, 1963
Graduate Christ the King Elementary School

EXPERIENCE: Mr. Minardi is the present owner of Minardi Photography. He is a renowned international photographer and photojournalist, a pioneer in laser computer enhanced photography, a seminar teacher for Eastman Kodak in their Mentor series and Astronaut Applicant in NASA's Journalist in Space Program. He is the past owner of RoMo camera store and studio and the Photography Institute of Tampa.