Michael Falencki, our colleague and dear friend, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 16th. Michael joined Cornerstone as Principal in January 2024 and was a respected mentor and trusted partner to his colleagues and the firm’s clients alike.
Michael was a phenomenal colleague and an even better friend, whose character and zeal for life preceded him. He was a man of great integrity and widely known for his unwavering kindness towards all he met. He was always ready to offer a word of encouragement or a hearty ‘Go Birds!’
Michael’s greatest achievements took place not inside the walls of any office, but in countless ways he showed up for his family and loved ones each day. He was a devoted husband, dependable son and dedicated friend who strived to place the needs of others ahead of his own.
Those of us who were fortunate enough to work with Michael throughout his prestigious career will remember his resounding impact in Washington. Beginning his career in the office of Rep. Sam Graves, he later served on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure before joining Cornerstone. Michael dedicated nearly two decades of his career to sharing his passion for improving transportation safety and infrastructure across the U.S. He played a fundamental role in passing the STARTER Act and Pipeline Reauthorization bills, among other major legislation.
We extend our deepest condolences to all of Michael’s loved ones and continue to hold all those who are grieving his loss close to us in thought and prayer. Additional details about Michael’s life, memorial service and how you can honor his memory are available here.
– Geoff Gonella, Cornerstone CEO