About

Mike has over 37 years of experience within the banking industry with 25 years in a senior management role. Having worked for both large regional banks (including SunTrust and Regions) and several small community banks, he has gained the experience to operate within both of these very different environments.  

Mike started his banking career as a management trainee at First Florida Bank, selected to join the Commercial Banking team after completion. Spending approximately 10 years as both a Commercial Relationship Manager and then team lead, he eventually handled the largest commercial customers for their market including Daytona International Speedway, NASCAR, an 11 store Harley Davidson Dealership and other prominent regional businesses.

Following a transition into a management/development position within a new line of business, SunTrust Bank transferred him to Nashville from Florida to develop and become Line of Business Manager for two states. In this role, he had approximately 150 associates (both directly and indirectly) reporting to him with regards to all aspects of the newly formed Business Banking line of business. Mike was also responsible for the facilitation of various types of training within his market.

At Regions Bank, he had the role of Market President which made him responsible for a billion dollar in assets portion of Regions, approximately 140 associates and ultimately responsible for a $34 million Income Statement. Mike held this position from 2003 until 2015 with his primary office in Cookeville, TN. During these 12 years and continuing today, he has become very much involved with this community and its prominent residents.

Through a conversation with the then Dean of the College of Business (Bob Neibuhr) he became more acquainted with TN Tech COB and in particular, the role of an adjunct professor. In 2003 and due to an opening for an instructor for a Commercial Banking Management I course, Bob offered Mike the opportunity to teach. He had taught this course (Wednesday nights) for approximately 12 years during which he was asked to create another banking course which became Commercial Banking Management II. He continues to teach this course today. In addition to these two courses, with the assistance of a local community bank and other COB staff, he created the Student Bank Advisory Course and taught this for four years. Both Commercial Banking Management I and Student Advisory Board are being taught by Dr. Nunez. In his role as Executive in Residence, Mike meets with students to discuss and provide information regarding opportunities in the financial service segment. During the summer, he also facilitates the bank simulation portion of the Barret Graduate School of Banking. 

Degrees and Certifications

• MBA, Finance, University of Central Florida
• BS, Business Administration, Management, University of Central Florida