Mike Mills graduated from The University of Missouri in 1996 with a B.A. in Agricultural Economics. He served as deputy state director for Missouri senator Kit Bond, responsible for policy in agriculture, natural resources, transportation, and energy, and as deputy director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development, leading efforts in technology and innovation, biofuel and biomass strategies and tax credit administration. In 2008, Mills became a partner at Spectrum Consulting focusing on energy and technology development.