Michael has launched, scaled, and sold three investor-backed businesses over the past 30 years with a combined valuation of over $500 million. Along the way, he has been named Nashvillian of the Year, Tennessean of the Year, a "Champion of Change" by President Obama and led the National Advisory Council of Innovation and Entrepreneurship for the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Today he advises entrepreneurial leaders to help them build valuable businesses and improve their leadership skills.
Throughout his journey, Michael has learned (often the hard way) how to successfully build a venture from the ground up, grow teams, create new product lines, attract investment, and ultimately build shareholder value. He's helped 100's of entrepreneurial leaders do the same.
Shore Capital Partners
Vanderbilt University
Medical University
of South Carolina
EO Catalyst
Vanderbilt University
Medical University
of South Carolina
I was one of the really lucky kids of my generation. The "Head Start" program was begun in 1965, and I was in the first class in my rural Mississippi county. It was transformative in my desire to learn. The photo is from my kindergarten graduation in front of my grandmother's home (I lived with my grandmother from age 3 to age 9).
My grandmother was a big believer that me and my brother should be dressed alike whenever possible. This is one of the few photos I have with me and my great grandfather - Robert Burcham (he's in the middle) holding us. My grandmother also was our barber. She had one style - Crew Cut.
An Easter photo from my childhood. My grandmother made our outfits and crafted our baskets from the items she had around the house. Mine is a plastic Coca-Cola crate (designed for 6 of the smaller 6 oz bottles) and my brother's basket is made from a Clorox bottle. Just two farm kids.
Yes, I was a band nerd. I learned early in high school that my only ticket to college was through scholarships, grants or loans. Through a combination of an academic scholarship, a music scholarship, and the Army National Guard, I was able to get to college. I played the French Horn.
Upon high school graduation, I left for Army boot camp at Ft. McClellan Alabama. The self-discipline skills I was taught in the Army have helped me focus - and prepared me for the uncertainty of life.
My physical therapy class at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. We began together in Jackson Mississippi in 1981 and graduated in 1983. I moved to Tennessee the day after I took my State Board exam to become a licensed physical therapist.
After graduating from physical therapy school in Mississippi, I moved to Tennessee to take a job with NHC. Within 2 years, I was managing the department - and discovered that the "business" of healthcare was my passion.
Following my time at NHC, I enrolled in Belmont University's Executive MBA program. This allowed me to continue working while getting my degree in the evenings. This was a key turning point in my career - allowing me to transition from clinician / practitioner into the business of healthcare.
While working on my MBA, I joined HCA as one of the first members of the team responsible for managed care contracting. This was the early era of HMOs, PPOs, and other forms on contracted care for the company. The experience I gained at HCA afforded me the "know how" to launch Theraphysics.
In 1992, I had the opportunity to meet Walter Channing of CW-Group in New York. I'd been thinking about launching my own company, and Walter provided both guidance and financing. Walter as both a venture investor and an artist. Moreover, he became a good friend.
In 1993, I founded Theraphysics - an opportunity to bring together my training as a physical therapist and my operations experience from HCA. CW-Group, Venrock, Highland Capital, George Soros and GE Capital were our investors. We set out to transform the way physical therapy businesses could consolidate, scale and grow.
Growing up on a rural farm, there are moments when you pinch yourself as ask "is this real." One such moment was the opportunity to participate in a yacht race with GE Capital new Newport, RI. Having a group of CEOs trying to compete as novices in such a race was so much fun. I also learned I'm not built for yacht racing.
After exiting Theraphysics, I had the opportunity to visit Ireland to discover my ancestral roots. Visiting the country during St. Patrick's day 2000 seemed perfect timing. I began the journey in Galway and traveled across the country to Dublin, arriving in time to participate in the most epic St. Patrick's Day celebration I've ever experienced.
I began teaching in 1997 and fell in love with the classroom experience. Completing a doctoral degree was another milestone I had set for myself. I wanted to be the first in my family to do so. I completed my Doctorate in Health Administration from the Medical University of SC in 2003. I joined the faculty at Vanderbilt later that year.
During a healthcare trade mission to Italy with the Nashville Health Care Council, I was able to break away for a visit to the Pantheon - an incredible landmark in the middle of the city. It's a breath-taking structure.
In 2006 I had the opportunity to visit UBS in Zurich. The firm was interested in the work we were doing at ParadigmHealth to manage risk for high-cost medical cases and wanted to explore how we might partner to help their large employer clients. I had an incredible time in the city.
On a healthcare trade mission to Brussels, I had the opportunity for a one-day get away to visit the medieval city of Bruges. I was fascinated by the St. John's Hospital - one of Europe's oldest surviving hospital buildings, founded in the 12th century. Some of the world's earliest surgical instruments are on display here. Terrifying.
After exiting Theraphysics, my business partner and I were invited by Galen Partners and GE Capital to scale ParadigmHealth. From 2001 - 2007 we grew a very successful workers' compensation and a group health business. The work comp business was sold to Sterling Capital and the group health division to Inverness in 2007.
From 2007 - 2010, I had the opportunity to build the Vanderbilt Accelerator program. This summer business institute ran each year for the month of June and prepared college students for careers in consulting and entrepreneurial endeavors. This photo was me exiting the bus with 50 college students to launch a project for Sony Music.
After exiting ParadigmHealth, we gathered the board, management team, and the UBS team that helped us with the process at Thomas Keller's restaurant in New York for a farewell dinner. Together we celebrated what a determined group of people can achieve with a shared mission. Pictured with me: John Penrose and John Wilkerson.
I had the opportunity to help launch an entrepreneurial campaign for the city of Nashville to focus on the various individuals who had launched companies in Nashville. This was the first step in our creating the Nashville Entrepreneur Center - which helped propel Nashville into one of the Top 5 places in the U.S. to start a business.
I participated in a healthcare trade mission to London and Edinburgh led by former CEO of HCA - Jack Bovender. Throughout the visit, we heard from various healthcare leaders of those countries and shared our own. This photo was taken during a final evening in Edinburgh when I was introduced to the Scottish dish known as Haggis.
Having coffee with my best friend of over 20 years at a coffee shop in Paris. We were there to celebrate a milestone birthday for Kimberly (David's wife). Grateful for this trip and having had the opportunity to tour Notre Dame prior to the fire that would happen 9 years later. The Louvre remains my favorite museum I've ever visited.
In June of 2010, I became the founding CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. We secured some rental space on Broadway in Nashville (immediately following the flood earlier that year) and began working to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem of our city. Over the next few years, the creative class in Nashville grew exponentially.
I had the opportunity to share our vision for Nashville (and the state of Tennessee) for entrepreneurial growth with U.S. Congressman Cooper. We both shared a desire to see small businesses grow and flourish across our state and discussed ways to extend our work across all of Tennessee.
Tennessee's Governor Bredesen and our Commissioner for Economic Development - Matt Kisber, signed a Proclamation for for Global Entrepreneurship Week during their visit to the Nashville EC. Governor Bredesen and his team were key allies in our mission to promote entrepreneurship across the State of Tennessee.
In 2011, we launched the capital campaign to create a permanent home for the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. Thanks to the generosity of so many of Nashville's entrepreneurial business leaders, the City of Nashville, the State of Tennessee and the US Department of Commerce, we opened the new facility debt-free in June 2013.
I was provided the opportunity to host Nashville's "CMA Red Carpet" event at my home. This event, sponsored by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, brings businesses to Nashville during CMA week to explore the opportunity to relocate their business to our great city. Photo is with Ralph Schulz, CEO of the Chamber.
We began working on the designs for the permanent home of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center in 2011. Pictured here, I am sharing our plans with Tennessee's Commissioner of Economic Development - Bill Hagerty who now serves as Tennessee's U.S. Senator. We opened the new EC in June of 2013.
In partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, we launched the "NEXT Awards" to honor those individuals who have built enterprises that made Nashville such a "city of entrepreneurs." In this photo, I am with Ralph Schulz, my partner Emcee for the event.
I had the opportunity to participate in the Clinton Global's CGI America. My presentation was focused on the importance of creating a meaningful entrepreneurial ecosystem (Ecosystem = Funders, Founders, Mentors, Talent, Tolerance, Technology and Business Support) for cities to attract talent and grow small businesses.
Representative Blackburn visited the Nashville Entrepreneur Center to meet a number of the startup companies we were supporting in their launch and learn about our plans to expand our programming well beyond Middle Tennessee.
I had the opportunity to speak for the National Governors Association meeting - sharing the work of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and it's growing impact on our local and state economy. Pictured here with the Governors of Kansas and Iowa at the Conference.
I launched "Startup Tennessee" in partnership with Startup America. We were the 2nd state to launch (President Obama's home state of Illinois was first). Through this initiative, I had the opportunity to get to know Steve and Jean Case, Scott Case, Secretary Pritzker, Brad Feld, and so many other leaders of the startup movement.
Giving a tour of what will be the permanent home for the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. Through a collaborative partnership with the city, we were able to transform an old city maintenance garage (20,000 sq. ft.) into an amazing center to support the work of startup entrepreneurs across Middle Tennessee.
Getting ready to open the new Nashville Entrepreneur Center for the City of Nashville. This was a 2 year labor of love that began with a dream. Through a massive collaborative effort, we opened this facility that, today, has become a beacon of opportunity for startup founders from all over the U.S.
The Nashville Business Journal dubbed me Nashville's "Rocket Man" in 2013 for our work in building the entrepreneurial community. The growth of Nashville over the past 10 years has been almost mind-numbing as startups and larger businesses alike discover Nashville as the nexus of Talent, Tolerance, Technology and GRIT.
I had the opportunity to visit the White House and was named a "Champion of Change" by President Obama for our approach to training entrepreneurial mentors to work with startup organizations.
I loved working with these two gentlemen. Pictured her with Clayton McWhorter (a long-time friend and our inaugural Board Chair of the EC) and Sam Lingo (a former student from Vanderbilt and our Chief Operating Officer). Clayton chaired our Board from 2010 - 2013. Sam served with me throughout my tenure from 2010 - 2015.
I was invited to Saudi Arabia by King Fahd University (KFUPM) to speak for their conference on entrepreneurship. Later that year, I become the Chair of their Global Advisory Board. I made many friendships during that time. Photo here is with Wail Mousa, the Founding Dean of the Entrepreneurship Institute (EI) at KFUPM.
In London meeting with entrepreneurial thought leaders from across the MENA region - discussing ways to bring an entrepreneurial mindset to their countries. Pictured here with a group photo at the House of Parliament.
I've had the privilege to teach at Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Business for over 15 years. My areas of teaching are healthcare innovation and entrepreneurship. It is such a treat to attend the graduation of our MBA students - celebrating with them and their families and they begin another chapter of their lives.
I was invited by Governor Haslam to speak for the Tennessee Governors Conference - to share the story of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. That year, we launched Startup Tennessee, in partnership with Startup America led by Steve Case and Scott Case. I traveled across the state to train mentors and develop programming.
My first (and only) gold record was given to me by the City of Nashville for my contribution in making Nashville "one of the best places in America to launch a business" (as designated both by Inc Magazine and Forbes). Thankfully, I didn't need any singing ability to get the record.
I was honored to be named one of Nashville's Most Admired CEOs along with a group of outstanding leaders who represented leading businesses across our city. I have learned so much from these leaders over the past 20 years.
One of my favorite photos from my time leading the Nashville EC. This was taken following pitch day for startups that were part of Jumpstart Foundry - led by Vic Gatto and Marcus Whitney (pictured here). During the 2010 - 2015 era, we launched a number of new companies that are now part of the Nashville community.
I was named Nashvillian of the Year in 2013. This was the year we opened the new facility for the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. It was such an honor to be recognized along side former recipients such as Jack Massey, Martha Ingram, Governor Bredesen and country music legends Roy Acuff, Barbara Mandrell and Vince Gill.
I had the opportunity to help welcome Mark Cuban to Nashville as part of the Inc. GrowCo Conference in Nashville. We had a massive turnout from the entrepreneurial community for the event. Cuban did a special event with our veteran entrepreneurs as part of the conference.
I was honored being named "Tennessean of the Year" in 2014 for our work in helping more than 100 start-ups launch that have yielded more than $100 million in revenue, spurring more than 1,000 jobs. We ushered in a new era for small businesses in Nashville and put the city on the national stage for its start-up community.
Steve Case visited Nashville as part of the "Rise of the Rest" tour - honoring the places in America's heartland where entrepreneurship thrives. I had the opportunity to interview Steve in front of a sell-out audience at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center to kick off the day. What an incredible man.
Welcoming Steve Case (founder of AOL and Revolution Venture Capital) to Nashville. Pictured here along with Governor Bill Haslam and our Commissioner for Economic Development Bill Hagerty. This was at a final briefing before a press conference held on the EC grounds.
I was honored by the Medical University of South Carolina's College of Health Professions as their Distinguished Alumnus for 2015. I completed by Doctorate in Health Administration there in 2003. The experience at MUSC gave me such an opportunity to further advance my career as a healthcare leader.
My final Board Meeting as CEO of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. 5 years and 20 board meetings in, we took the Center from a concept to a thriving community contributing to Nashville's economy. Pictured here with John Ingram (Board Chair) and Mike Shmerling (Founding Board Member).
Had the opportunity during the final days of my time at the EC to share what would be the next chapter of my career - launching a 3rd company focused on helping individuals with end-of-life issues and choices. We launched Narus Health - a palliative care company - in the fall of 2015.
Speaking that the EO Nerve (Entrepreneur's Organization) Conference in Nashville. Sharing the story of Catalyst - a program we launched in 2010 to help small businesses (under $250K in revenue) reach $1 Million in revenue within a year). The program has been incredibly successful.
Attended the JPMorgan conference in San Francisco to talk about our plans to create Narus Health. Picture here is at the Health Evolution reception at the conference - and event for early-stage companies. I first attended this conference in 1995 when it was called the Hambrecht & Quist Conference.
From 2014 - 2016, I was honored to serve as Co-Chair of the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship under Secretary Pritzker for the U.S. Department of Commerce. This photo was taken after our final meeting together at the end of the Obama Presidency in November, 2016.
Had the opportunity to enjoy the Kentucky Derby with Charles (Chuck) Denny, regional president for PNC Bank (along with his wife Donna) and Steve Case. Also did well with my final wager and was able to pocket a few coins from the final race.
Attending Ernst & Young's Regional Entrepreneur of the Year Awards with 3 colleagues from Shore Capital: Ryan Kelly, Stan Blevins (CEO of Fast Pace Urgent Care) and our founder, Justin Ishbia.
I had the opportunity to have dinner at 404 Kitchen with Al Roker and his wife Deborah Roberts when they visited Nashville. We were the guests of Agenia Clark, President & CEO of the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee.
Having fun with Scott Hamilton. We shared the stage at a conference for cancer survivors - leading a session on the therapeutic value of storytelling. Scott and I both shared our own stories of loss, and how storytelling had been such a valued part of our own journey.
A rare treat to be back-stage at the Riverfront Stage of Nashville's CMA Festival. There is no place on the planet quite like Nashville - no wonder we care called "The Music City."
I was honored as the Massey Distinguished Graduate by the Massey Graduate School of Business at Belmont University. I received this honor nearly 30 years to the day of my beginning my MBA program at Belmont. It was such a joy to re-unite with friends from the University.
I had the opportunity to be the Keynote speaker at the National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization's (NHPCO) Annual Conference held in Washington DC in 2018. I spoke on Trends and the Future of Healthcare. I'm pictured here on stage with the CEO of NHPCO, Edo Banach.
Visiting with the CEOs and Board Chairs of the Nashville Entrepreneur Center during the McWhorter Circle event - a giving campaign to honor our inaugural Board Chair, Clayton McWhorter. Pictured (L to R): Michael Brody-Waite, Myself, Beth Chase, John Ingram and Stuart McWhorter.
Spent my birthday in Nantucket, MA. Had a wonderful time seeing my former business partner John Penrose. The highlight of the trip was this sunset sail off the coast of Nantucket - no better way to spend an August evening. Here's to another trip around the sun.
I was honored to be named "Entrepreneur of the Year" by the Nashville community at the 2018 Next Awards. It was a night filled with emotion - given this was an event I helped launch in 2012 to honor those entrepreneurs who were building our city. I'll never forget that evening.
I suppose there's no gift like your own "bobble head." A gift from my students at the Owen Graduate School at Vanderbilt University. They captured me perfectly in my corporate uniform: white (sometimes blue) shirt and suit).
Speaking at Cardinal Health for their emerging leaders program. I had the opportunity to work with a group of their leaders from May to September of 2018 - we studied healthcare trends, designed new business models, and evaluated market opportunities. What a beautiful campus in Dublin, OH.
I began working with Justin Ishbia and his team in 2011 shortly after they founded Shore Capital Partners. I began serving as a board member on various companies and then as a lead independent director. In 2019, I formally joined the team as an Executive Partner. Pictured here with Justin Ishbia, founder of Shore Capital.
I had the opportunity to help host Pete Buttigieg in Nashville during his campaign for the Democratic nomination for President in 2019. Delighted he is now our Secretary of Transportation under President Biden. In the photo, I am welcoming Pete to the sage before he make his remarks to the crowd.
One of the special moments in my career - honoring Jason Moore of Stratasan. Jason was the very first startup to begin working at the Entrepreneur Center when we opened in 2010. Today we celebrated his partnership with Fulcrum Equity Parters as he secures a $26 Million investment to expand product offerings and sales.
Happy to share that I will be a Board Member and Lead Independent Director for Southern Orthodontic Partners (SOP) - a Shore Capital portfolio company headquartered here in Nashville. Pictured here with John Nelson, CEO of SOP.
Meeting with a select group of Orthodontic leaders at the top of the Ritz-Carlton in Los Angeles during the American Association of Orthodontic's Annual Conference. The discussions of this meeting were used to launch the creation of Southern Orthodontic Partners (SOP) by Shore Capital.
Hosting Vanderbilt's student OVEC Organization (Owen Venture & Entrepreneurship Club) at my home. I love serving as their faculty advisor. These are students from all across our business school who have career goals in either the investing or creation of new businesses.
Something I always wanted to do - and decided to cross it off the bucket list - live at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. With coffee in hand, heading to reserved seating to watch the balloons and the bands and welcome Santa to kick of the season. Dinner tonight at Gramercy Tavern. A great way to spend the holiday!
In January 2020, before COVID-19 had "officially" arrived in the U.S., I had the opportunity to speak to our Vanderbilt Alumni in New York. The Nasdaq was gracious to host our event in their beautiful space just blocks from Times Square. We had a great discussion on entrepreneurship.
Spoke for HCA's Leadership Institute in February. It was the last formal conference gathering for 2020 for me. Our topic was innovation and the entrepreneurial mindset. It was so good to be back with the team at HCA.
The 2020 portion of my timeline would not be complete without a good mask photo. I have a larger collection of masks than neckties (both equally a nuisance, but the mask is necessary). I'm hoping that sometime in 2021, we are back to greeting one another mask free and in person.
Speaking in Mexico City at ITAM for the America's MBA program - a partnership between 4 universities linking Canada (Simon Fraser), US (Vanderbilt), Mexico (ITAM) and Brazil (FIA).
Nothing like teaching in what feels like a "welder's shield" behind a plexiglass screen to a group of students distanced 6 feet apart in an auditorium that would normally seat well over 100 people. No way this is going to feel like an intimate classroom. The joys of teaching in a Pandemic.
My first flight during COVID-19. Thankfully, the flight is nearly empty. It's a bit unnerving to be doing this - but a necessary trip. Southwest was great about our boarding process, cleaning, etc. I felt very safe.
A photo from my "personal strategic retreat" in January at Evins Mill in Smithville, TN. A quiet setting in the Tennessee hills to connect with nature, clear your mind, and think. I finished 3 chapters for my book on leading when things aren't easy (aka: Embracing the Suck).
My first view of the aftermath of the Christmas Day bombing on Second Avenue in Nashville, The blast completely destroyed 2-3 city blocks of businesses and homes. Heartbreaking.
In Naples, FL to lead a strategic planning session for PartnerCare, a Shore Capital portfolio company. Our treat after our two day strategy summit was some time on the water on this beautiful yacht.
We did a pivot for Vanderbilt's annual Entrepreneurship Conference and went 100% virtual. We still had over 800 participants engaged in the event. A big thank you to Orange Thread Technology for making it a seamless experience.
I had the opportunity to help Paige Parker launch her bourbon brand "Happenstance." In the photo are some fellow students from Grad School doing a tasting.
Turned 60 this year. Had a great time celebrating over a long weekend in Chicago with friends. One evening, the restaurant decided to make me feel special by printing a birthday message on the menu.
I'm very blessed with three incredible grandchildren. We finally got them to sit still for just a minute to grab a quick photo of the group.
Kicking off a New Year at the opening retreat for the Healthcare Fellows program with Senator Bill Frist. The Senator founded the program 10 years ago. Today, I lead the program as Chair. A great group of healthcare leaders.
Moderating a panel discussion on the future of the healthcare services sector at the Nashville JP Morgan conference. Also pictured is David Dill, CEO of LifePoint Health System and Dr. Michael Schlosser, Head of Innovation at Hospital Corporation of America.
I had the opportunity to lead a strategic planning session for OMS-360, a new oral surgery business headquartered in Atlanta, GA. What a fantastic team and a great business model.
I had the opportunity to be at the opening game of Nashville's new Soccer Club. What a great time and a beautiful stadium (Geodis Park).
It's not every day your invited to a full "buy out" dinner at Ralph Lauren's restaurant in Chicago, IL. Met some fantastic people and had the opportunity to talk to the bartenders about their favorite Old Fashioned recipe.
A long-standing item on my bucket list has been to have the opportunity to take a hot air balloon ride. That dream came true on a trip to San Miguel, Mexico. The views from above are breathtaking.
In Washington DC for a meeting of the Nashville Healthcare Council's Fellows Advisory Board. Each year we meet to plan the experience for the Fellows program. In the photo with me is David Dill, CEO of LifePoint Health System.
I had the opportunity to speak on Lessons in Leadership for a group of young healthcare leaders in Nashville at the new Conrad Hilton.
I don't recommend NYC in early January. It was freezing cold, and my friend captured this shot when he asked how I was enjoying the weather. I think the body language says it all.
Each January, I have the opportunity to go to Mexico City to speak for the America's MBA program, a joint venture degree between universities in 4 countries (Canda, USA, Mexico and Brazil). Treated myself to Pujol, my favorite restaurant in the city.
Hosting a conversation on healthcare policy, innovation, and investing with Senator Frist for the Nashville Healthcare Council.
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