In July 2024, Michael Ayers was proud to join Cim-Tek Filtration as their Chief Growth Officer, working alongside his two cousins, Jeff and Tommy, to grow the legacy of their grandfather, A. Richard Ayers.From January 2018 through July 2024, Michael served as the President & CEO of the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce.From 2015 through 2017, Michael served as the Director of Government Relations for Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute at Lake Nona. In this capacity, he was responsible for generating funding for the Institute's biomedical research and maintaining a positive relationship between the Institute and its government partners.Prior to his service at SBP, Michael served as the the Chief of Staff at three state agencies, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Agency for Workforce Innovation (AWI) as well as the Legislative Director at AWI. In this capacity, he directed the Agency’s legislative and budgetary priorities during each session and coordinated communication between the Agency, Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget and various trade groups and associations throughout the State of Florida.Born and raised in Central Illinois, after graduating in 2001 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Michael relocated to Washington, DC to begin his professional career. After a brief stint with the United States House Committee on Government Reform, Michael joined the Office of US Congressman Robin Hayes (NC-8), where he served as a legislative assistant with responsibility over Economic Development, Labor, Trade and other various issues.In addition to his time in Washington, Michael has served in various capacities in several state and federal campaigns and multiple stints with the Republican Party of Florida.Michael resides in Viera with his wife Caity, and three kids, Braden, Bennett and Hadley.