Michael K. Gemmell retired in 2004 as Executive Director of the Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) in Washington, D.C.  He served in that position for 25 years.  ASPH is the only national organization representing graduate public health education in the U.S.

Prior to his appointment as ASPH Executive Director, Mike worked for the National Association of Counties (NACo) from 1967 – 1978.  There he was a principal investigator on several projects providing technical assistance to county officials on economic development, criminal justice, regional planning and public health programs.  In 1976, he was made an Associate Director of NACo for health services and education programs, including legislation.  He was also Executive Secretary of NACHO, the National Association of County Health Officials.

Mike received his B.A. in political science from Millsaps College (1966) and his M.A. degree in government and world politics from Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. (1968).  In 1987, he was awarded the CAE (Certified Association Executive) by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), a designation for high achievement in the association management field.  He has also been honored and recognized by his public health colleagues for his numerous contributions to the advancement of disease prevention and health promotion in the United States and abroad.

He contributes to Public Health Reports and contributed to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, and has written and co-authored articles and manuals in such as areas as environmental health, water resources, rural development, traffic safety, criminal justice and public health programs; he has lectured extensively on association management and on and on the federal legislative process throughout the country and abroad.  Mike recently wrote a definitive history of the American academic public health enterprise (Nov., 2004).

While living in Alexandria, VA, Mike chaired the Alexandria United Way board, chaired the city’s public health commission, and served as President of the Alexandria Soccer Association.  He also served on various local civic organizations, such as the Alexandria Hospital finance committee, the EMS council, the local Boys’ & Girls’ Club, the mayor's adolescent health advisory task force, among others.

Mike is currently on the faculty of the School of Business at Alcorn State University as an instructor on human resource management, organizational behavior and on principles of management.  He is on the Board of Directors of the Natchez Little Theatre and the Natchez Festival of Music; he is the President of the Jefferson Military College Foundation and Alumni Association.  Mike is currently involved in forming a Natchez chapter for area Millsaps College alumni.  He is a member of the Rotary Club of Natchez and he and his wife, Elaine, are members of Trinity Episcopal Church.  Mike has appeared in Rebecca, Auntie Mame and Kiss Me, Kate at NLT.