My name is Michael De Groote and I am a staff writer for the Deseret News. I like to write about trends and issues in religion and society — the big stuff that affects the small stuff in our lives. I also like quirky, funny stories. I graduated from Arizona State University and then, later, from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU in 1992. My professional background also includes advertising, video production, marketing and public relations. I worked seven years for the Salt Lake Chamber as Director of Communication and Marketing before joining the Deseret News in April 2008. I love my job and admire and respect my very talented co-workers. The developing saga of the Deseret News is exciting and its future is bright.