I am thrilled to announce that the Getting to Know series will be sponsored by TEC Services Group in 2024. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com.
Between references to Columbo, Andre Agassi, Guns N’ Roses, and Saturday morning cartoons, it may seem like Mike Gray is living in the past, but you don’t last for 17 years as a sales executive in this industry by resting on your laurels. His love of the grind, whether daily in the gym and his devotion to the Detroit Lions, only make him more likable. Read on to learn more about Mike, what he needs to start his weekends off right, and how his daughter helped him get his start in the ARM industry.
Name: Mike Gray
Job Title: Senior Sales Executive
Company: TCN
Length of time at current company: 13 years.
Length of time in industry: 17 years.
How did you get your start in the industry?
With my daughter Isley on the way, I needed to secure a better job/benefits. Through contacts, I got an interview with IAT SmartDial as a regional sales manager. With no industry background, I was game to learn as much as possible till I decided what to do when I grew up. Isley is now seventeen, thinks Dad is still immature, and I am glad to have stayed in this industry and made it my career.
What is your career highlight so far?
I was able to work with some fantastic, ambitious young talent upon joining TCN. One of our early success stories was in securing business with a multinational e-commerce company against more established competition. It was great managing the project and creating the opportunity for TCN to be recognized as a rising leader in our industry.
When or how are you most productive?
From 5-7am during the week, I am engaged in workouts of some variety. It is my Zen time. With GNR or WWII podcasts in my earbuds, I evaluate my schedule that day, potential challenges to be mindful of, and set my mind towards creating objective solutions to be most productive.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Roger Weiss has been a great friend over the years. I have always respected him in business and as a person in how he conducts himself and engages with others both teaching and listening while caring the entire time.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I don’t mind grinding to get the job done. Columbo is one of my favorite TV characters. When becoming a detective surrounded by very smart, clever people, Columbo said he figured, “if I worked harder than they did, put in more time, read the books, kept my eyes open, maybe I could make it happen.” Always took that to heart.
What do you like most about this industry?
The colleagues that have become friends/family over the years. It is great having respected peers so their input/experiences can keep your own viewpoint open to a wider perspective.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Like the old Andre Agassi “Image is Everything” campaign, changing the public’s perception of our industry is always a desire in demonstrating that it’s not just an isolated sector, but a key partner in making our economy and consumers’ lives work smoothly when considering the cost and availability of goods & services we depend upon.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I try not to think about “what if” too much. I worry it will detract away from the joys available in the now.
Describe a typical work day.
When not traveling, a workday often includes a combination of webinars, sales presentations, and client check-ins that may include training, new project discussions, and features review. Team meetings and individual check-ins help to keep pending projects on track.
What is your guilty pleasure?
My weekends need to start with coffee and Saturday morning cartoons, or it doesn’t feel like the weekend.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Never let anybody make you feel they are more important than you and remember you are no more important than anyone else.
What are you currently reading?
“Putin’s Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine“
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
That I won’t be into work for a week if my beloved Detroit Lions win a Super Bowl.
I am thrilled to announce that the Getting to Know series will be sponsored by TEC Services Group in 2024. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com.
Between references to Columbo, Andre Agassi, Guns N’ Roses, and Saturday morning cartoons, it may seem like Mike Gray is living in the past, but you don’t last for 17 years as a sales executive in this industry by resting on your laurels. His love of the grind, whether daily in the gym and his devotion to the Detroit Lions, only make him more likable. Read on to learn more about Mike, what he needs to start his weekends off right, and how his daughter helped him get his start in the ARM industry.
Name: Mike Gray
Job Title: Senior Sales Executive
Company: TCN
Length of time at current company: 13 years.
Length of time in industry: 17 years.
How did you get your start in the industry?
With my daughter Isley on the way, I needed to secure a better job/benefits. Through contacts, I got an interview with IAT SmartDial as a regional sales manager. With no industry background, I was game to learn as much as possible till I decided what to do when I grew up. Isley is now seventeen, thinks Dad is still immature, and I am glad to have stayed in this industry and made it my career.
What is your career highlight so far?
I was able to work with some fantastic, ambitious young talent upon joining TCN. One of our early success stories was in securing business with a multinational e-commerce company against more established competition. It was great managing the project and creating the opportunity for TCN to be recognized as a rising leader in our industry.
When or how are you most productive?
From 5-7am during the week, I am engaged in workouts of some variety. It is my Zen time. With GNR or WWII podcasts in my earbuds, I evaluate my schedule that day, potential challenges to be mindful of, and set my mind towards creating objective solutions to be most productive.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
Roger Weiss has been a great friend over the years. I have always respected him in business and as a person in how he conducts himself and engages with others both teaching and listening while caring the entire time.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I don’t mind grinding to get the job done. Columbo is one of my favorite TV characters. When becoming a detective surrounded by very smart, clever people, Columbo said he figured, “if I worked harder than they did, put in more time, read the books, kept my eyes open, maybe I could make it happen.” Always took that to heart.
What do you like most about this industry?
The colleagues that have become friends/family over the years. It is great having respected peers so their input/experiences can keep your own viewpoint open to a wider perspective.
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Like the old Andre Agassi “Image is Everything” campaign, changing the public’s perception of our industry is always a desire in demonstrating that it’s not just an isolated sector, but a key partner in making our economy and consumers’ lives work smoothly when considering the cost and availability of goods & services we depend upon.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
I try not to think about “what if” too much. I worry it will detract away from the joys available in the now.
Describe a typical work day.
When not traveling, a workday often includes a combination of webinars, sales presentations, and client check-ins that may include training, new project discussions, and features review. Team meetings and individual check-ins help to keep pending projects on track.
What is your guilty pleasure?
My weekends need to start with coffee and Saturday morning cartoons, or it doesn’t feel like the weekend.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Never let anybody make you feel they are more important than you and remember you are no more important than anyone else.
What are you currently reading?
“Putin’s Wars: From Chechnya to Ukraine“
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
That I won’t be into work for a week if my beloved Detroit Lions win a Super Bowl.
