Mike Koolidge, owner of Koolidge Communications (DBA TMKS, LLC), brings over 25 years in communications experience, including six years as a U.S. Army officer on active duty. In his final year in the military, he served as Public Affairs Officer in Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom’s initial phase. He advanced at The Chicago Tribune Company as a fill-in producer for WGN Radio 720’s top-rated Spike O’Dell Show.
In 2006, Koolidge launched The Michael Koolidge Show (TMKS) on WRHL, syndicating it independently in 2009. The 15-year top-rated daily radio program aired on 20+ stations, featuring interviews with a U.S. president (twice), dozens of senators / congressmen / governors, Oscar / Emmy winners, World Series / Super Bowl champions, national journalists and everyday Americans. Broadcasts included six Republican / Democratic National Conventions, MLB spring training, Chicago Bears’ camp, annual remotes from CPAC’s radio row, and two international sites—plus a rare 2019 Trump White House slot as one of just nine invited talk shows. Bootstrapped entirely via small-business sponsorships and traditional advertising, TMKS crafted dozens of PR/advertising strategies and campaigns for clients, amplifying their reach via radio and online. In 2022, Koolidge ran for Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, then joined People Who Play By The Rules PAC as its Chief Communications Officer, delivering their message to millions. His piece in RealClearPolitics dubbing Gov. JB Pritzker’s SAFE-T Act as “The Purge Law” sparked national buzz on The Joe Rogan Experience, Gutfeld!, and Tucker Carlson Tonight. He then launched American Greatness’ original podcast, Counterculture hosted by Dan Proft, boosting subscribers and serving as the political website’s managing editor, which included working directly with conservative giant Victor Davis Hanson. Since 2024, as Executive Director of The Citizen Farmers NFP, he grew membership 59% and continues to produce/host/edit its acclaimed podcast with guests like Charles Payne and Stephen Moore.
Koolidge’s writings have appear in The Federalist, Washington Examiner, and RealClearPolitics, and for eight years he wrote a popular bi-weekly column at the Rochelle News-Leader.
Mike holds a B.A. from Boston University in Political Science, as well as an M.S. in
Communication from Northwestern University. He is also a graduate of The Second City
Training Center’s Writing, Acting and Improvisation programs in Chicago.
Koolidge has chaired the Ogle County Republican Party, since 2022, has served on multiple
boards (Chambers of Commerce, Community Foundations, statewide political organizations), and is an Elder at his Presbyterian church in DeKalb. He and his wife Joan have resided in Rochelle, IL, since 2006.