User:Mlhallman/sandbox

Michael Hallman is an independent candidate for President of the United States in 2020. A commercial real estate marketing professional who lives in Philadelphia, PA with his wife, interior designer Danielle Wolfrom-Hallman, he filed his candidacy in July 2018.

Early Life
Hallman is the third of four children, and was born in northeast Philadelphia on July 19, 1977. His family moved to Williamstown, NJ just a few months later. He grew up in Williamstown, and graduated from Williamstown High School in 1995.

Difficult Years
After high school, Hallman attended Drexel University, where he enrolled to study computer engineering. His life took a dark turn when he would have his first manic-depressive break, a disorder he would not be diagnosed with until he was 35 years old. He left Drexel University after his first year.

From 1996 until 2006, undiagnosed bipolar disorder took a toll on him, and though he managed success at companies like PHH Mortgage, Pitney Bowes, and Citigroup, career success eluded him.

In 2006, Hallman enrolled at Villanova University, where he double majored in philosophy and theology with a minor in classics. During his sophomore year a second major health issue struck when he was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Despite battling through bipolar disorder and cancer, he graduated in 2010 as a national honors society recipient in each of his majors.

The Augustinian Friars
Hallman spent his time at Villanova contemplating joining the Augustinian Friars, the Catholic religious order who teaches at the university. He joined the order prior to his senior year, and spent three years with the friars. During his third year he was finally diagnosed as bipolar, and at the end of that year he left the order. He credits the friars for their support in what he calls one of the most challenging times of his life.

Career
Since that time, Hallman's career has taken off quickly. He started off as a senior marketing professional with CBRE, the largest real estate company in the world. He later moved to lead the content marketing efforts of Cushman & Wakefield, the world's third largest commercial real estate firm. He now heads all marketing for redIQ, a commercial real estate technology startup in New York, NY.

Political Views
According to his campaign website, Hallman is an independent conservative who advocates for limited government, free and open trade, protection of individual liberties, immigration reform that balances securing the borders with welcoming migrants and refugees, and a pro-life view that opposes both abortion and the death penalty.