FEDC Mourns the Passing of Mike Finney, CEO, Miami-Dade Beacon Council
All of Florida economic development is grieving the death of Mike Finney, CEO of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council. Mike’s leadership here in Florida has been transformational from his contributions to a regional bid for Amazon HQ 2.0 to the recent launch of Opportunity Miami, a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship; talent and inclusion; and sustainability and resilience to ensure Greater Miami’s economic future. We send our prayers to his family and his teammates at the Beacon Council.
Social media is a great place to read the many heartfelt tributes about Mike. We are also sharing several here from Mike’s work family and regional partners who enjoyed a steadfast and collegial partnership with Mike to protect and grow the southeast Florida regional economy.
Miami-Dade Beacon Council – “It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our friend and leader, Michael Finney, Miami-Dade Beacon Council's President and CEO. Mike was an incredible human being – thoughtful, humble, and passionately committed to his family and to his community. Mike’s impact on Miami-Dade County, our organization, and everyone he came in touch with was immeasurable. We are a better community – and better people – because of him.
Our hearts go out to Gina, his sons Michael Jr., Marcus, and Austin, his grandchildren, and the rest of his large, beautiful family in Michigan and beyond.”
Marc Adler, Acting Florida Secretary of Commerce and Enterprise Florida President & CEO - “We are deeply saddened by the news of Mike Finney’s passing. Mike was a champion for Florida’s economic development and spent his career building an incredible legacy. We will miss him, and the impact he made in the lives of those around him will not be forgotten.”
Kelly Smallridge, President & CEO, BDB of Palm Beach County, FEDC Chair 2019-2020 – “To say that we are all devastated and saddened by the passing of Mike Finney is an understatement. This is a huge loss to our region and state. Mike was the consummate economic development professional who led programs focused on economic prosperity for ALL. His calm demeanor and thoughtful, strategic approach to leading projects earned him great respect and a huge following. Bob Swindell and I considered him a great friend and we talked monthly to compare notes and share ideas. Mike was going to be the next host for our joint board discussion in June. Our hearts are broken, and our prayers go out to his wife, sons, and the entire Beacon Council team. It is a sad day for Florida.” Bob Swindell, President & CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, FEDC Chair 2014-2016 – “Mike was a steadfast friend and always helpful as a colleague. I’m still in shock, as a few months ago we were just sharing thoughts about retirement and next chapters. This reminds all of us that life is precious and we can’t wait for tomorrow. Please keep Mike’s wife Gina and his sons in your thoughts. He was incredibly proud of his family.” We do not want merely to see beauty... we want something else which can hardly be put into words - to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it." C.S. Lewis Rest in peace, Mike.
