As of today, I am launching Michael B. Cooney LLC, a project management company. With years of experience in the aviation and aerospace sectors, plus, hands-on experience managing booths and pavilions at trade shows and airshows, I am eager to discuss any projects with you where I can compliment or add value to your company's short and long-term goals.

Work with Florida companies to help increase export markets for their products and services worldwide.Organize, manage and participate in world-class trade shows focused on Aviation, Aerospace & Defense including the Farnborough (England), Paris, Singapore, Dubai airshows and MRO Europe.Conduct trade seminars for manufacturers and service companies to help and guide them through the export marketing process.

Project management and economic development consulting firm providing hands-on, experience-based services to businesses, educational institutions, entrepreneurs and not-for-profit organizations.Client portfolio includes Enterprise Florida; Orlando Economic Development Commission; Energy Florida; CPI Technologies, LLC; Nano Safe Coatings, Inc.; National Entrepreneur Center; Quebec Government; University of Central Florida, Regional Campuses System; Valencia College; Seminole State College; Lake-Sumter State College and Eastern Florida State College.Strengths and experience include: detail-oriented, respond promptly, planned and coordinated hundreds of meetings and events, manage complicated projects, organize detailed itineraries, sales and marketing, reporting and accountability, public speaking, presentations, and writing detailed reports.Services include: client-driven surveys and reports, community and government relations, social media strategy, working groups management, business development, relationship building, international business development, organization development, and meeting and event planning.Secured new contracts through business development and follow-up by phone, email and one-on-one meetings to attract and retain new and existing clients through RFQs and proposals that secured dozens of contracts.Managed six working groups simultaneously that implemented new university degree program and curriculum alignment initiatives with focus on student success, faculty engagement and administration support.Developed University of Central Florida’s first-ever Bachelors of Applied Science degree and the DirectConnect to UCF partnership between four state colleges and UCF.Planned, organized and managed 1,000+ meeting and events for two to 300+ attendees.Served as Social Media Strategist for a new high-tech company start-up.

Mike and Catrell Cooney sold nearly everything they owned to take their three teenage sons on an around the world trek. They wanted their sons to see and experience the world firsthand before starting college. The book chronicles their adventures and sometimes misadventures while backpacking through Latin America for four months. As an average family, with very limited financial resources, the book tells how they made their dream come true in spite of overwhelming challenges and constant setbacks. It's funny in some parts and sad in others, and tells the story of the profound impact the journey had on each of their lives. Learn about the amazing places they visited and the interesting people they met throughout their trek. A second book chronically the family's seven months backpacking through Southern Africa, Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji will be available soon.

Consulted multi-national manufacturing company Senior Management on cost reduction strategies through analysis of procurement methods and increased education of personnel at all levels, leading to a USD $10MM reduction of purchasing costs and faster equipment Return On Investment.Conducted in-depth personnel interviews to provide written purchasing function evaluations and gave seminars to classes with up to 40 Senior Management, Engineers and Purchasing Staff.Traveled 65% of time in the United States, Canada and Europe to conduct on-site purchasing evaluations, present findings to Management, and train staff on purchasing cost reduction strategies.

Expanded the international relations for Central Florida business and government officials with their international counterparts, which promoted the Orlando region’s position as a global business leader.Organized and led small and large Central Florida FAM tours with up to 60 business, cultural and educational delegates to showcase regional destinations, activities, businesses, tourism, culture and education.Managed travel and meeting logistics for more than 20 high-level international businesses, political and cultural delegations, which included China, South Africa, Russia, Iceland, Canada, Australia, Austria, Taiwan, England, Scotland, Norway, The Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Brazil and Malaysia.Organized and participated in business, educational and cultural trade missions to South Africa and China to create stronger ties between the countries and Orlando region for increased business opportunities.

Recruited 100+ companies to the Orlando region that established manufacturing, corporate headquarters and distribution facilities in Central Florida, resulting 20,000+ jobs and over USD $1BN in new investments. Companies include Oracle, Charles Schwab & Co. and AT&T Microelectronics.Provided site selection services, conducted research, organized job training programs and facilited financial incentive packages, expedited permitting and arranged meetings with local government, business and community leaders.Convinced corporate CEOs and site selection consultants to choose the Metro Orlando region over other locations by providing in-depth analysis, data and myriad other assistance.Called on company executives and site selection consultants in California to convince them to relocate and expand companies to Central Florida.