Michael Mingolelli
Age: 36
Title: CEO
Company: Pinnacle Financial Group
Company location: Southborough
Residence: Wellesley
College: Boston College
Career highlights: I grew up around the insurance and benefits industry due to my father. Believing that a law degree was a valuable tool in any business, including insurance and benefits consulting, I decided to go to law school and then took a job as a lawyer at a large firm. The large law firm experience was invaluable, but not the best long-term career for me. I made the change and have not looked back. Now in my role at the firm, I draw on my legal experiences and training, along with finance, marketing and management.
Community involvement: My firm and I support our community through several means, including volunteering with organizations such as Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross, Toys for Tots, Early Intervention Program at South Shore Mental Health, Mass Coalition for the Homeless and the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Biggest professional success: The evolution of our firm over the last five years, both qualitatively and financially. During these five years we have assembled a team of professionals that I unabashedly put in front of clients and genuinely enjoy as people. Concurrently with the development of our team, our firm has been able to earn a reputation of uncommon quality and integrity in our market and among clients. Finally, on the strength of our people, the firm has experienced great top and bottom line growth.
Dream job: Being an anchor on ESPN— sports all the time and not much travel.
Businessperson he most admires and why: There are those whom I don’t know personally, but respect greatly for their innovation (Steve Jobs), their management and motivational skills (Jack Welch) and for their ability to identify investment/growth opportunities (venture capital and private equity investors).
If you weren’t doing the job you’re doing now, what would you do? I would find a way to get into private equity. Understanding different industries and deciphering opportunities for investment interests me greatly.
