Mike Friedman

ABOUT

After graduating from Cornell University in 1997, I spent the first chapter of my career building and maintaining golf courses across New York and Vermont. That hands-on work eventually led to a shift into sales—first in equipment for golf courses and sports complexes, and later in irrigation systems, including time at Rain Bird Corporation from 2013 to 2015.

In 2015, I joined The Harrington Corporation (HARCO Fittings) in Lynchburg, Virginia as Sales Manager. I was asked to serve as the company’s first non-family President, and member of the Board of Directors in 2018. A year later we acquired a competitor, doubling our revenue and staff, expanding operations to five manufacturing facilities across four time zones. During my leadership, and through the dedication and hard work of our remarkable team, we tripled the company’s value for the owner family when they sold in 2022.

In 2020 while leading HARCO, I joined C12 as a member and experienced firsthand the power of peer advisory, intentional leadership and marketplace ministry. Knowing the impact of this community, I felt a calling to serve others in this capacity. In October 2022, I became a C12 Chair, serving Christian CEOs and business owners along Virginia's Route 29 corridor—from the North Carolina border to Amherst, VA, including Lynchburg, Danville, Appomattox, South Boston, Martinsville, Rocky Mount, and Bedford.

As a C12 Chair, I have the privilege of leading monthly Business Forums for Christian CEOs and Key Players. These forums are not merely meetings; they are architected environments for transformation, where leaders are equipped and encouraged to build great businesses for a greater purpose. My role encompasses:
• Facilitator: Orchestrating high-performance, high-accountability settings backed by a proven format and world-class content.
• Coach: Guiding members to align their business strategies with biblical principles, fostering both professional and spiritual growth.
• Mentor: Sharing insights and experiences to help members navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
• Disciple-Maker: Encouraging members to integrate their faith into every aspect of their business, transforming the marketplace for Christ.

This role allows me to combine my passion for business with my commitment to advancing the gospel in the marketplace. I count it a privilege to serve leaders as they steward their businesses for eternal impact.