Reflections about Mike Daniels: technology visionary and humble servant leader

I was very sad to learn of the passing of Mike Daniels last week and while he is no longer with us, Mike’s impact on the lives of so many people will be felt for years to come.

Mike lived a full life, one that led to professional accomplishments and success. More importantly, he lived a life of true significance and touched the lives of so many people – his family, friends, and colleagues – in such a profoundly good way.

New York Times columnist and author David Brooks in his best-selling book, The Road to Character, talks about what he calls “resume virtues” and “eulogy virtues.”

Brooks characterizes resume virtues as educational and career success. Eulogy virtues are the ones that lead to a life well lived – kindness, compassion, wisdom, courage, integrity, humility, and love.

Mike Daniels had both kinds of virtues – in spades.

For more than 50 years, Mike was a successful business leader in our region and a true technology visionary. He started at ARPA in 1969 when the Arpanet, now the Internet, became operational. He later successfully started and built his own company and then spent more than 20 years as a senior executive at Science Applications International Corp.

At SAIC, Mike convinced CEO, Bob Beyster, to acquire Network Solutions, for $4.7 million in 1995. Mike would serve as Chair and CEO of Network Solutions, raise more than $3.2 billion in public offerings, and then sell Network Solutions to VeriSign for more than $19 billion. Now that is what is called a very good business deal.

Mike chaired or served on dozens of company boards, including two of my company boards. As a first time CEO of a private equity-backed technology company, Mike’s mentoring and support for me, and his constructive feedback, were invaluable. His “coaching tree” of executives who once worked for him and later started and/or led other companies is long and distinguished.

There is no question that Mike Daniels was an incredibly successful business leader. But that is not what defined him.

Mike was from southeast Missouri and was an Eagle Scout. He practiced those birthright Midwest and Scouting values his entire life. His professional success never changed him. He was humble, kind, and, as my wife aways said, a genuine and gentle man. He gave back to our community in so many ways through his civic and philanthropic leadership. His integrity was without question. And he was a great friend and mentor to many, always having time for others and being willing to give advice and counsel to young entrepreneurs.

But what I believe truly defined Mike the most was his love of his family. Mike and his wife, Bonnie, an equally talented life partner, lived life to its fullest as a couple, as parents to three sons, and as grandparents. And Mike loved being a grandparent. In fact, when I became a grandparent, it was fascinating how our conversations transformed from tech and business talk to just two proud grandparents enjoying talking about our grandkids, and the joy they brought to our lives.

As Mike confronted his cancer diagnosis, with his usual optimism and grit, we talked even more about family, friendship, faith, and life.

We always ended our calls with an, “I love you, my friend.” Mike Daniels was loved by many and respected by all. He lived a life of true significance.

It was an honor to know Mike, and I am so grateful for our friendship and the time we had together.

Todd Stottlemyer is CEO of Acentra Health.