Mike Oakman :

Life Story:

My early years were shaped by a dynamic upbringing as a military child, relocating across diverse environments from the rugged terrains of Alaska to the sunny shores of Florida. Eventually, my family planted roots in Birmingham, Alabama, where I grew up in the tight-knit community of Pinson Valley, nestled near Huffman and Centerpoint. There, I cultivated a strong foundation at Pinson Valley High School, earning an Advanced Academic diploma while actively engaging in competitive sports including football, tennis, golf, and soccer-each teaching me teamwork, strategy, and resilience.

At just 13, I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey by founding my first company, which I led through its formative years until age 21. This venture not only honed my leadership and operational skills but also fully funded my college education. I pursued a Bachelor of Science in International Marketing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), completing the program in exactly four years. My academic experience was further enriched by a study abroad semester in London, England, broadening my global perspective, as well as completing the Professional Services Executive Education program at Harvard Business School.

Transitioning from academics to worklife, I launched my career as a Help Desk Representative at Command Alkon, rapidly ascending to International Project Manager. In this role, I spearheaded complex, multi-country projects across Southeast Asia-immersing myself in the fast-paced tech ecosystems of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and leading initiatives in Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, India, and Shanghai, China. This global exposure sharpened my cross-cultural communication and technical project leadership abilities.

Returning stateside, I embraced family life with my wife and two sons, Josh and DJ, while continuing to build and scale technology ventures. Over the years, I have been privileged to contribute to seven successful company exits, each involving thousands of talented professionals united by innovation and excellence. Most recently, after our company’s acquisition by Optum, I joined Keysys Consulting, where I am energized to drive transformative growth through strategic technical leadership and dynamic team collaboration.

Go To Motivation Song:

Little Known Facts or Hobbies

1. Avid Hunter (Deer & Turkey) & big software deals

2. Golfer & Mountain Bike

3. Taxidermy (my latest challenge