Mike Cunningham – Candidate for Mayor – Biography
Mike Cunningham – I was born and raised in Memphis, attended Treadwell High School and the University of Memphis. I was raised in a family with strong Christian values and attended Macon Road Presbyterian Church with my family. I was heavily involved in its youth and outreach programs. I learned the value of hard work at a young age. As a teenager, fresh out of high school, I was hired as a Staff Member at the Ira Samelson Jr Boy’s Club, leading programs and providing guidance to inner city youth. In 2001, I was honored with the citywide Boy’s and Girl’s Clubs of Memphis Alumnus of the Year Award for “Serving by Example-Inspiring Young People to Realize Their Full Potential.” I also served on the Board of Directors for the Ira Samelson Jr Boys and Girls Club from 2002-2005.
While in college and working at the Boy’s Club, I began what is now a 35-year career with FedEx. There, I have held leadership roles in Training and Solutions and received numerous awards for leadership, teamwork, and results. My responsibilities include long-term project and large budget event planning.
A self-starter and car enthusiast, in 1994, I turned a vision into reality by launching Classic Mustang Specialists, Inc., a classic car restoration business. I held the position of President and CEO, managing employees, payroll, and operations until 2005, when I sold the business to focus on my family and my career at FedEx.
In my early years at FedEx, I met my wonderful wife Terri, with whom I celebrated 32 years of marriage this year. We are the parents to twin sons Matthew and Joshua and in-laws to Lauren and Brittany. We are and have been active members of Bartlett United Methodist Church for the past 20 years. Because I care about this community, I served as President of the Bolton Civic Association and was an active part of the creation of Bolton Park which is still to this day an active venue for youth sports. I also helped with numerous issues and initiatives to improve the Bolton (North Lakeland) community.
When I’m not tinkering around on old cars or antiquing, you can likely find me on a tractor doing some hobby farming with my sons, but I’m never too busy to listen to YOU!
What is your vision for Lakeland over the next four years?
My vision begins with helping the city grow in a logical, strategic way and restoring the uniqueness that once attracted families and commercial businesses. Transparency, along with financial responsibility (short and long-term), public safety, education, infrastructure, and strategic growth are the key pillars of my strategy in re-establishing and sustaining growth in our city. I am absolutely pro-education. When it comes to the Lakeland School System, specifically the high school, I am more focused on the quality of education for every student, rather than a brick and mortar building. I will remain focused on quality education first and work toward our own high school when the time is right. I will assemble a strategic planning committee to work with our Lakeland School superintendent and school board that will monitor growth data and forecast models to ensure we are ready to build the best equipped high school once key milestones are reached.
What is the major issue for Lakeland now and how do you address it?
The major issue facing Lakeland is the lack of financial responsibility. The City of Lakeland Budget Report for FY18-19 shows a loss of $2.6 million dollars in revenue from the “estimated actual revenue” for FY18. This is a clear indication that we are headed in the wrong direction. Also stated in this report, as of June 30, 2018, the city has currently $28.8 million dollars in outstanding debt.
As your Mayor, I will be a faithful steward of your tax dollars, assessing our needs and being practical when considering wants, while paying down our debt. We must rebuild relationships with business leaders, who have attempted to bring growth and revenue to Lakeland, but have abandoned plans due to barriers within our current government.
Why are you the person needed to guide the City’s future? List your capabilities.
As a Solutions Advisor at FedEx, I am a proven strategist with 35 years of experience solving complex problems, planning budgets for major corporate events, requesting proposals for event services, and executing large scale internal and customer-facing events. As President / CEO of Classic Mustang Specialists, Inc., I gained invaluable experience in business strategy, project management, forecasting, and financial management. My definition of leadership is the ability to bring a diverse group of people together to work toward a common goal. I am looking forward to working with all citizens to create win-win opportunities for our city.
Describe your involvement in the Lakeland community.
Member – Lakeland Lions Club, one of the largest Lions Clubs in West Tennessee. We provide funds, as well as volunteer support to our local schools and other civic initiatives.
Former President – Bolton Civic Association (North Lakeland). During my two terms, we built Bolton Park (athletic facilities), which currently serves our local youth sports programs.
Multiple officer positions – Mustangs of Memphis Car Club, a not-for-profit organization that has raised over $50,000.00 for the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf over the past eight years.
Board of Directors – Ira Samelson Jr. Boys and Girls Club, an organization dedicated to helping inner city youth reach their full potential and become productive, caring, responsible citizens.
