Mike Finley grew up in a large family in Cincinnati, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Xavier University in 1993 and his Master's from Ohio University in 1995. His business career began working for the Atlanta Committee of the Olympic Games.
In 1997, Mike went to work for Gruner & Jahr USA Publishing in the sports marketing division. He helped manage the in and out operations of professional tennis and golf properties, including the WTA Family Circle Cup. In 2001 Mike spearheaded the move to Charleston, SC and oversaw the construction of the Family Circle Tennis Center and Stadium on Denial Island. He developed the concert division of Gruner & Jahr and promoted a variety of top-level national entertainers. His accolades include helping start the Hootie and the Blowfish Homegrown convert series in the Carolinas.
In 2004, Mike ascended to the position of Tournament Director for the Family Circle Cup and General Manager of Family Circle Tennis Center, overseeing all aspects of the business, including successfully hosting the David Cup. That same year, the Charleston Business Journal named Mike one the top "Forty Under 40" individuals in South Carolina.
Fueled by his continued success and entrepreneurial spirit, Mike launched Finley and Associates in 2006. Finley and Associates' business strategy focused on the buying and selling of global construction equipment. His company flourished and managed projects for a number of construction equipment dealers in the US and abroad. He was responsible for selling and exporting equipment to over 50 countries worldwide.
Mike joined his good friend Ross McMillan Jr. in 2013 to launch 4M Iron Equipment Company, in Charleston, SC, one of the largest used equipment dealers in the Carolinas specializing in construction equipment, heavy duty trucks and trailers.
In 2018, seeing a niche in the industry for asset disposals, Mike helped form Iron Auction Group, which specializes in unreserved industrial auctions with a focus on the mining, sitework, forestry and agriculture industries. With its customer-focused core values and results-driven partners being the backbone of the company, Iron Auction Group has quickly become of the leading auction companies in the United States with locations in St. George, SC, Charlotte, NC and Princeton, WV.
Mike plays a key role in the company's success with his dedication to hard work, teamwork mentality and commitment to establishing lifelong business relationships with customers.
Currently, Mike lives in Charleston, SC with his wife Katie and their four children - Helena, Elle, Declan and Vaughn. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and coaching youth sports teams.