The Miami‐Dade Beacon Council is the official economic development organization for Miami‐Dade County. Its mission is to increase jobs and investment through marketing Miami as a world-class business destination, help grow local companies, and shape Miami-Dade’s economic future. Since 1985, the non-profit public-private partnership has assisted more than 1,200 businesses to expand in or relocate to Miami-Dade, creating almost 74,000 direct jobs and driving more than $6.7 billion in new capital investments.

As President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Finney champions the County’s efforts to market Miami-Dade as a world-class business destination. He collaborates with key stakeholders including Miami-Dade County and other local governments, CareerSource South Florida, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Miami-Dade Council of Chambers and key private sector leaders throughout the community.

Prior to his current role, Mike served Michigan Governor Rick Snyder as Senior Advisor for Economic Growth and President & CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Under Mike’s leadership the MEDC moved to the forefront of U.S. economic development organizations, with innovative new initiatives including Pure Michigan Business Connect, Community Ventures, and the revitalized “Pure Michigan” tourism campaign.

Volunteer Activity

Mike serves on the Board of Directors of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Saginaw Valley State University Foundation Board. He also serves as Chairman of the Miami-Dade County Covid-19 Economic Recovery Task Force, and on Florida Memorial University’s Social Justice Institute Advisory Board. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the State Science and Technology Institute, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, the Michigan Venture Capital Association, and as President and Chairman of the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Awards & Recognition

Mike has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, including 2020 Ultimate CEO Honoree, and 2019 and 2020 Power Leaders 250, both from the South Florida Business Journal; 2018, 2019 and 2020 Florida Trend 500 Most Influential Floridians; the 2018 Miami Today Book of Leaders; 2014 Michigan Venture Capital Association Lifetime Achievement Award; 2012 Michigan Chronicle Legacy in Motion Newsmakers; 2008 Saginaw Valley State University Outstanding Alumnus for the College of Business and Management; and the 2005 Minett Distinguished Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology. Crain’s Detroit Business also named Finney one of the Most Powerful People in Michigan in 2010, as well as one of 2007’s Newsmakers of the Year.

Education

Finney holds a Master of Arts in Human Resources from Central Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Saginaw Valley State University