I grew up in Wayne, New Jersey, where I developed a strong appreciation for hard work, personal growth, and staying curious about the world around me. I’m passionate about learning, constantly improving myself, and exploring new ideas and skills every day.
Outside of my professional work, I’m a big sports fan. I love following the New York Yankees, the Brooklyn Nets (formerly the New Jersey Nets), and the New England Patriots. Sports have always been a big part of my life and are something I enjoy sharing with friends and family.
When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me enjoying the outdoors, spending time on the lake, or relaxing with my dog. I also enjoy playing video games as a way to unwind and challenge myself in a different way.
At my core, I’m someone who believes in continuous growth. Whether it’s developing new skills, learning something new each day, or taking on new challenges, I’m always looking for ways to improve and evolve.

I’ve always enjoyed building things—even when I don’t have the perfect tools. There’s something exciting about taking a limited set of resources and figuring out how to turn them into something meaningful, functional, or visually interesting. That mindset has shaped the way I approach design, technology, and problem-solving in general. Creativity, to me, isn’t about having everything you need from the start—it’s about making the most of what you have and learning along the way.
Since 2020, one of my favorite creative outlets has been Cities: Skylines. What started as a casual interest quickly turned into a deep passion for city design and planning. The game gives me a space to experiment with infrastructure, layouts, transportation systems, and the balance between aesthetics and function.
Over time, I’ve developed my own approach to building cities—thinking about traffic flow, zoning, skyline balance, and how different areas of a city interact with each other. I jokingly consider myself a self-appointed pseudo-expert in city planning, but the truth is the game has sharpened my eye for design and systems thinking in ways I didn’t expect.
For me, creating cities in Cities: Skylines is more than just playing a game—it’s a creative sandbox where imagination, structure, and problem-solving come together.

I build cities the way I solve problems: with limited tools, deliberate choices, and an eye for systems. Whether it’s zoning, traffic flow, or skyline balance, I treat each district as a puzzle piece that must work with the rest. The result is urban design that looks intentional and lives well.

I bring the same maker’s mindset to small towns—stretching resources, prioritizing human-scale details, and shaping places that invite everyday life. Streets, yards, and local nodes get the attention they deserve so the town reads as cohesive, comfortable, and real. Small-scale design is where function and warmth meet.
Michael Pellegrino