Mike Shields '69
Chairman and CEO, IdentiSys Inc., Eden Prairie, Minn.
Major: business
Forging friendships. Mike was looking for a small school where he could play sports. He noticed Bluffton in a catalog at his high school, decided to visit and "immediately fell in love with the campus and atmosphere." In his first year, Mike participated in both basketball and track, but opted to join intramurals for the rest of his college years. "I stayed on the same floor with the same guys for all four years at Bluffton, and we were always intramural champions," says Mike. Between athletics and business classes, Mike forged close friendships with more than 20 residents on his floor.
Pursuing the dream. After graduation, Mike taught at Buckeye Valley High School, Delaware, Ohio. Although he would miss his position as an educator, Mike's passion to own his own business led him to work for Unisys Corporation, designer and manufacturer of computer-based information systems. After 20 years, Mike was recruited by Datacard into the personalization of plastic cards and metal tags for various institutions. In 1999, Mike started his own company, IdentiSys Inc., which has expanded to become the largest supplier of equipment, supplies and services for personalizing identification cards in the United States.
Growing by leaps and bounds. IdentiSys represents more than 50 suppliers of identification products in the marketplace. Mike's company serves more than 4,000 customers, including many Big Ten universities, major automotive companies, K-12 schools, hospitals and many federal, state and city agencies. What began in its early stages as a five-million dollar company quickly expanded to the $20-million company it is today.
Evolutions. Mike is passionate about his work. He loves the variety and the fact that there is always something new to do. "I'm able to do business with some of the largest companies that are working on some of the world's most advanced projects in identification and security,†he says. The ever-changing pace in technology compounds this freshness and variety. "Computers are becoming smaller, more powerful and less expensive," says Mike. "We're able to capture photos, transfer them to a printer and print them directly onto plastic with technology that did not exist years ago."
Passion for family. Mike is involved with nearly all phases of his business, giving him an understanding of many aspects of technology. Although he is deeply engaged in his work, business is not his only passion; his first priority is his family, who are avid NBA fans. "Some people would say that I'm a workaholic," says Mike, "but relaxing and spending time with my family is number one."
Katie Wrabel '08
