Mike Gross

From writing complex code to managing technology transformation through an M&A and leading global IT teams, Mike Gross has experienced enterprise technology from almost every angle. 

This breadth means that he sees beyond the technical side of projects to consider the business needs and drivers too. Understanding the environments that his clients work in means he can often anticipate issues before they happen. 

 IT wasn’t Mike’s first career. He started off in the food service industry, where he rose through the management ranks before deciding to go back to college for further study. Effective communication is crucial in food service and he has since applied those skills across a variety of different industries including finance, transport and media. 

One of his proudest achievements, relatively early in his career, was rewriting the code for a banking system that was taking a whole night to run. As a result, the same work could be done in just a couple of hours and he was awarded employee of the year. Mike’s aptitude for finding smart ways to solve problems has always been one of his trademarks. 

Despite extensive experience of working with remote teams, nothing beats proximity, especially during a crisis. Knowing when to trust the information you are being given and when to challenge it is an instinct that serves Mike time and again. A good example is a flooded data centre in Dallas, which he was managing while based in Cincinnati. Keeping the server room at the right temperature was critical, and the readings he was getting from the team on the ground just didn’t sound right. So, he flew out to investigate and discovered the thermometer they were using was nowhere near the machines, which were in danger of overheating. The explanation for the incorrect readings was relatively simple, but taking the information at face value could have had very serious consequences. It is a lesson he continues to apply today. Working remotely can be effective, but having people in-country and able to be on site at critical points in the project makes all the difference. 

Outside of work, Mike has three adult children and lots of interests. He has an enduring curiosity about the world, devouring books and audiobooks to expand his knowledge. In high school, he was a member of a semi-professional show choir and music is still an important part of his life. These days Mike is more of a jazz fan. He also enjoys karaoke and is learning to dance.