Mike is an experienced and seasoned CEO who has successfully developed his career across several different industries including professional services, specialty retail, consumer package goods and software. He is a unique combination of professional manager and entrepreneur. He is also a husband, father, investor, philanthropist, world-traveler, sports enthusiast and community servant.
GROW2DAY leverages Mike’s professional experience to help grow or turnaround businesses. Mike also uses his personal experience to help others achieve broader success and more fulfilling careers.
Prior to Grow2Day, Mike served as President and CEO of Vignette Corporation, a leading provider of enterprise content management software to Fortune 500 enterprises. In July 2009, Mike successfully completed the sale of Vignette to Open Text Corporation. Before Vignette, Mike led the successful turnaround of Activant Solutions, a market leader of enterprise software and business management solutions for manufacturers and distributors of automotive parts and building materials. As Chairman and CEO of Activant, Mike completed a “recap” through the public offering of high yield debt.
On the consumer side, Mike was President and CEO of Foster Grant, a branded marketer and distributor of consumer eyewear. Mike led the turnaround and sale of Foster Grant to Accessories Associates, Inc. Prior to Foster Grant, Mike served as a General Manager for FOOTACTION, a specialty retailer of athletic footwear and apparel, helping the company to grow from $65 million to $450 million over a five year period.
Mike started his career as a Certified Public Accountant with KPMG Peat Marwick in NY. He has an M.B.A from the Stanford Business School and a B.B.A. from Pace University.
Mike lives in Austin, TX. He is competitive and results-oriented. He sets high goals for himself and for others. He loves big challenges and a steep learning curve. He is naturally wired to look for new, better and more efficient ways to get things done.
Mike is well-traveled having been to all seven continents, all 50 states, over 80 foreign territories, every U.S. Presidential Library and approximately 150 D-1 Colleges. In addition to spending time with his wife and three children, Mike enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, yoga, college basketball, movies, Baldacci novels and almost all playoff sports.
