Quick Facts:
Military Branch/Service: U.S. Navy
Current Gaming Role: Regional Account Manager at Incredible Technologies
Favorite Military Travel Location: Malta and Mallorca, Spain
Military Service Summary
Mike served as a sonar technician on the USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), an Aegis-class guided missile cruiser. Alongside operating and maintaining sonar equipment, Mike was part of the gunnery crew operating 50-caliber and M60 machine guns, and he served on the visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) team. After Desert Storm, his unit enforced UN sanctions in the Persian Gulf, famously intercepting a vessel carrying 3,000 metric tons of illegal Iraqi oil. He credits his Navy service for instilling a “trained OCD” for attention to detail, professionalism, and maintaining a sharp appearance.
🤝 Mentorship & Influences
A good friend and neighbor on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, who was also a Navy veteran, provided crucial early guidance. This mentor helped steer Mike toward joining the Navy out of high school and, years later, helped him secure his first job in the casino industry.
🎰 First Role in Gaming
Mike transitioned from repairing fax machines in Orlando to working as a slot technician. On his very first day, despite never having worked on a slot machine, his boss handed him a set of keys and told him to go “figure it out”. Fortunately, the technical training he received in the military enabled him to adapt quickly and successfully troubleshoot complex mechanical issues on the casino floor.
Listen and watch our short interview
Thank you Mike for your service to the nation!
