Mike joined the team at James Financial Partners with 20 years experience in the insurance industry and licensing in all lines focusing on Life and Commercial Property & Casualty Insurance. As an agency principal of Springfield / Branson based Connell Insurance, he worked with James Financial Partners who had partnered with Connell Insurance as their financial services arm for over a decade. As the company liaison between Connell Insurance and James Financial Partners, he has had securities registrations for 5 years prior his tenure with JFP.
Mike is a true Ozarks native. He grew up in the Kimberling City / Branson area before finishing High School at Joplin Parkwood. From there he would go on to graduate from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Management & Investments. After graduating from MSU, he went to work in the hospitality industry for 10 years and was promoted to General Manager at the early age of 28 operating Lodge of the Ozarks and Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre. He oversaw the operation of a 200-room convention hotel (110 employees) with 2 restaurants / bars and a 1200 seat live music theatre featuring major country music legends.
His past hospitality management experience, prior ownership of Connell Insurance and continued interest in financial management and investing since earning his degree, provides him with invaluable knowledge to understand his clients' financial picture. He attributes his success to “working with people in an honest and straightforward approach putting clients’ interests first.”
He is currently active on the Branson Rotary Board of Directors and on the Leadership Team, Finance Committee & Foundation committee for Branson United Methodist Church.
When not partnering with his clients; his personal interests include spending time boating and fishing on Table Rock Lake with his lovely wife Marta, of 25 + years and their two daughters who are both attending University. Other interests include playing tennis, golf, riding ATV’s and spending as much time outdoors as possible. He gives back to the community by volunteering with various charities supported by James Financial Partners and him personally.