Mike came to work for the cooperative in July of 1980.  Prior to coming to work for the cooperative he worked for Montgomery Wards as a Department Manager and then Arkansas-Missouri Power Company where he started as a mail clerk and after several promotions left as a Systems Analyst for the electric division.  He began his career at the cooperative as a Work Order/Material Clerk where he performed all Work Order Accounting.  Mike was promoted to Accountant in 1987, taking over all General Accounting and Finance duties, then promoted to Manager of Accounting & Finance in 1996.  He will retire from Mississippi County Electric Cooperative as Vice President of Accounting & Finance, a title held since 2005.

Mike graduated from Blytheville High School in 1968, after which he attended Arkansas State University until he married his wife Sharon Parrish.  In 1975, he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Economics/Business Administration from Park College, with minor concentrations in Accounting and Computer Programming.  Mike has also completed Graduate courses in the field of Business Information Systems.

Mike has been involved in the community for a number of years.  He is a past President of the Blytheville Optimist Club and is a current member of the Blytheville Lions Club.  He is also a Ham Radio operator and was a former member of the Mississippi County Amateur Radio Association.

Mike and his wife Sharon have two children, Jay and Chris.  Jay and his wife Meagan have two daughters, Rebecca and Sarah.  Chris and his wife Katie are expecting their first child in June.

Mike has no immediate plans for the future.  He would like to take time to rest after retirement and play golf.  He also has plans to become more active in amateur radio so he can get involved in the Emergency Communications Services provided by amateur radio.  Mike and his wife Sharon plan to eventually relocate somewhere in central Arkansas.  While they have begun the search for their new home, they are in no hurry to find that special place to spend their “Senior Years.”

The employees and directors of Mississippi County Electric Cooperative congratulate Mike on his well-deserved retirement and thank him for his dedication to the cooperative.