Mike Rowe

One of the nation's most unique storytellers, who is perhaps most recognizable donning a ball cap and construction boots, Mike Rowe is a popular media personality and the host of highly rated TV series, including Discovery Channel’s "Dirty Jobs" and annual "Shark Week" special.

Rowe's most recent TV project, CNN’s "Somebody’s Gotta Do It" introduces his fans and viewers to fascinating tradespeople, innovators and entrepreneurs. From blacksmithing, to saving endangered whooping cranes, the show is about passion, purpose, and occasionally, hobbies that get a little out of hand.

With a strong desire to give back and advocate for the workers featured on his shows, Rowe has launched several campaigns and initiatives focused on reinvigorating the skilled trades, encouraging technical recruitment, and calling attention to issues related to the widening skills gap, the aging workforce, high unemployment and the dilemmas facing trade workers, miners and farmers. His work led him to testify before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on the importance of changing perceptions and stereotypes around blue-collar work and the House Committee on Natural Resources.

A dedicated community activist, Rowe works closely with his mikeroweWORKS Foundation and is closely associated with the Future Farmers of America, Skills USA, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Named as one of Forbes 10 Most Trustworthy Celebrities, Rowe offers down-to-earth perspective on defining success and provides intriguing insight on the enormous but forgotten benefits of hard, honest work, the undervaluation of skilled trades, and the effects to our national identity, our infrastructure and our economy.