Executive Coaching. Strategic Planning. Corporate Speaking.
Executive Coaching - Michael delivers customized executive coaching for busy executives who want to have a trusted resource available to them for applied learning, confidential feedback, self-awareness and strategic thinking. These confidential sessions are a thoughtful balance of in-person and online engagements tailored to the specific needs and objectives of senior leaders.
Strategic Planning - Michael offers a unique approach to help growth-oriented companies (especially those backed by private equity) develop a strategic action plan to achieve substantive scale. Michael acts as the facilitator to allow the leader to be an active participant in the process. The engagement results in a growth plan that adds meaningful value to the firm with management and board support.
Corporate Speaking - Michael is an engaging speaker who delivers an impactful message for corporate audiences. His years of corporate speaking, as well as teaching at the graduate level, have developed his skill to engage your team in thinking about the future - and how they each play a role in that journey. Topics of expertise are: becoming a leader, leading in difficult times, the entrepreneurial mindset, personal self-development and healthcare strategy.
Our life experiences shape us. They are all particles of our identity. Take a moment to get to know Michael a bit better through the images below - a lifeline of Michael’s experiences in becoming a leader.
Earliest MemoriesI lived with my grandmother during the most formative years of my life.
First GraduationMy first graduation - Kindergarten at Hill's Chapel in Booneville, MS.
Army Boot CampJoined the Army to help fund college. I'm on the third row on the left end.
First JobNHC hired me as a physical therapist out of college. Based in Columbia, TN.
HCA Transitioned from clinical leader to administration at HCA. They funded my MBA.
Walter ChanningI owe so much to this man. Believed in me and funded my first company.
TheraphysicsMy first venture-backed company. We acquired PT organizations in CO, TX, PA.
Sailing with GE CapitalHad the opportunity to sail with the GE Capital team in Newport, RI.
IrelandVisited Ireland for the 2000 St.Patrick's Day. Standing here at the Cliffs of Moher.
ParadigmHealthHad the opportunity to build ParadigmHealth with my friend John Penrose.
BruggeToured the city of Brugge during a trip to Brussels with the Nashville Healthcare Council.
Dr. BurchamCompleted my doctoral degree in Health Administration at the Medical University of SC.
ZurichMeetings with UBS in Zurich - Building risk models for healthcare financing.
Celebration at Per SeFinal celebration of ParadigmHealth at Per Se in New York after being acquired.
I Am Music CityBegan working with the Nashville Chamber on the Nashville Entrepreneur Center.
AcceleratorMy final year to lead Vanderbilt's Accelerator: A summer business bootcamp.
ScotlandGreat trip to Edinburgh (and London) with the Healthcare Council led by Jack Bovender.
Launched the NECTeaching startup entrepreneurs as CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center.
Coffee in ParisWith my best friend David Furse having coffee in Paris.
Touring the CommissionerTouring the EC with Matt Kisber, the TN Commissioner of Economic Development
Startup TennesseeFounded Startup Tennessee as part of Startup America with Scott Case. Being silly.
Hosting CMA PartyHosted Nashville Chamber's Country Music Awards (CMA) Party for Visiting Businesses
Congressman CooperTouring the EC with Congressman Jim Cooper. A big supporter of entrepreneurs.
Representative BlackburnTouring the EC with US Representative Marsha Blackburn. Discussing the value of startups.
Leadership NashvilleHaving a moment to speak at Leadership Nashville. Loved being part of this experience.
Bill Clinton: CGI AmericaSpoke at the Clinton Global Initiative's CGI America on Entrepreneurship.
Sharing Vision for the New ECDiscussing my vision for a permanent home for the Nashville EC on Rolling Mill Hill.
Entrepreneurship WeekWith Governor Bredesen & Commissioner Kisber - Proclamation for Entrepreneurs Week.
Governor's ConferenceSpeaking at the Governor's Conference. With the Governors of KS and MO.
Phoenix Club HonorHonored by the Nashville Phoenix Club for my work in teaching their members.
TN Governor's SummitSpeaking for Governor Haslam at the TN Governor's Summit.
EC Grand OpeningWith Scott Case and Ingrid Vanderveldt at the Grand Opening of the New Nashville EC.
Nashvillian of the YearNamed Nashvillian of the Year by the City's Kiwanis Club.
White House HonoreeHonored at the White House by President Obama as a "Champion of Change."
Most Admired CEOsSelected as one of Nashville's "Most Admired CEOs."
My Own Gold RecordAwarded a "Gold Record" by the Nashville Chamber for my work helping build our city.
Next AwardsHosting the "NEXT Awards" to honor Nashville's entrepreneurs.
Speaking for Startup TNSharing the story of Startup TN across the state to build an entrepreneurial mindset.
Celebrating with FriendsCelebrating another successful year of Jumpstart Foundry with Vic Gatto - its founder.
John Wilkerson in BNAJohn, our Board Chair for ParadigmHealth (and Founder of Galen Partners) visiting BNA.
RocketmanNamed "Rocket Man" by the Nashville Business Journal for helping lead our city's growth.
Mayor Dean at the ECWith Mayor Dean at the permanent home of the Nashville EC: 41 Peabody Street.
Speaking In Saudi ArabiaSpeaking for King Fahd University in Saudi Arabia - with Wail Mousa, our Host.
Mark Cuban in NashvilleWith Mark Cuban at the Inc. GrowCo Conference held in Nashville.
Steve Case With Steve Case, Governor Haslam and Commissioner Haggerty at the Nashville EC
EO NerveSharing the success of our EO Catalyst Program at the the National EO Nerve Conference.
Mike Shmerling at the ECSeated next to Mike Shmerling at the EC Board Meeting - Mike helped launch the EC.
US Secretary of CommerceI co-chaired the National Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship for Secretary Pritzker.
EY Entrepreneur of the Year At EY's Entrepreneur of the Year Awards - with the team from Shore Capital.
Move Out DayLast day as the leader of the Nashville EC. It was 5 great years with an awesome team.
Back in Saudi - DancingLearning traditional dance during an evening event while consulting in Saudi Arabia.
Alumni of the YearNamed Alumni of the Year at Medical University of South Carolina.
I'm a "Bobble Head"Thanks to my students at the Owen Graduate School of Management, I'm a bobble head.
Kentucky Derby in StyleAt the Derby with Chuck Denny of PNC Bank and Steve Case.
Scott Hamilton A fun moment with Scott Hamilton after we spoke at a conference for cancer survivors.
On Stage at NHPCOSpeaking for the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization's Annual Conference.
Seeing ChicagoWith my best friend David Furse enjoying the sights of Chicago.
Justin Ishbia - Shore CapitalEnjoying some boat time with Justin - the founding parter of Shore Capital Partners.
Sailing in NantucketSpending my birthday sailing off the coast of Nantucket, MA.
Speaking at Lipscomb UniversitySpeak on behalf of Lipscomb and the NBJ about the "Entrepreneurial Spirit."
3 CEOs - 2 Board ChairsThe McWhorter Circle Event: with the 3 CEOs of the EC and 2 Board Chairs: Beth & John.
Entrepreneur of the Year Named Entrepreneur of the Year at the NEXT Awards in Nashville.
Sailing in KennebunkportEnjoying some time on the water - celebrating my birthday in Kennebunkport Maine.
Celebrating Jason MooreJason was the first EC startup. Honoring his transition into PE ownership of Stratasan.
Hosting Mayor PeteHosted Mayor Pete in Nashville. So nice to hear complete sentences again. And a vision!
Southern OrthodonticsBecame Lead Director of Southern Orthodontics - with John Nelson, our CEO
COVID-19 AttireLearning to enjoy the safety of a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic.