The Miami-Dade Beacon Council serves as the official economic development organization for Miami-Dade County. The not‐for-profit public‐private organization focuses on job creation and economic growth. Since 1985, the organization has assisted more than 980 businesses that have created more than 65,000 direct jobs and added more than $4 billion in new capital investments. It accomplishes this by marketing Miami‐Dade as a world‐class business location, growing local companies and shaping the local economy’s future. The Market-Grow-Shape strategy and One Community One Goal initiative are the pillars for economic growth and prosperity for all in Miami-Dade County.

As President & CEO, Mr. Finney champions the County’s efforts to market Miami-Dade as a world class business destination, grow local companies and help shape the county’s economic future. He collaborates with key stakeholders, including Miami-Dade County, Career Source, the Miami-Dade Council of Chambers and private sector leaders throughout the community, to attract and retain businesses and the workforce needed to expand a growing and dynamic economy.

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). His responsibilities at MEDC included serving as Economic Growth Group Executive and as President and Chairman of the Michigan Strategic Fund. 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 and Michigan Export programs.

Mike also previously served as President and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK, President and CEO of Greater Rochester Enterprise, Rochester, New York; Vice President, Emerging Business Sectors, MEDC; Senior Vice President and General Manager, Thomson Saginaw Ball Screw Company; and Assistant City Manager, Saginaw, Michigan.

Volunteer Activity

Mike served on the Saginaw Valley State University Foundation Board, Chairman of the Michigan Strategic Fund Board, the City of Flint Michigan-Receivership Transition Advisory Board, the State Science and Technology Institute, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, and the Michigan Venture Capital Association Board.

Awards & Recognition

He has received numerous awards and recognition including the 2014 Michigan Venture Capital Association Lifetime Achievement Award; 2012 Michigan Chronicle Legacy in Motion Newsmakers; Named by Crain’s Detroit Business and one of the 2010 “Most Powerful People” in Michigan, 2008 Saginaw Valley State University Outstanding Alumnus for the College of Business and Management; named by Crain’s Detroit Business as one of the 2007 Newsmakers of the Year; and the 2005 Minett Distinguished Professor at Rochester Institute of Technology.

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.