Mike Dow

Vice President Business Development

Mike Dow joined Nfina in 2025 and brought with him more than four decades of sales and political expertise.

Mike, a Vietnam War veteran with three tours under his belt, served in the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade’s 335th Assault Helicopter Company from 1966-1968. During this time, he took on various roles as a paratrooper, rifleman, and helicopter door gunner. He also holds a BS degree in Economics and an MBA from the University of South Alabama.

Before entering politics, Mike was the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for QMS Inc., a high-tech laser printer company that he co-founded. The company made its debut on the NASDAQ Stock Exchange in 1983 and later reached a market value of $350 million when it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1985. In 1999, QMS was acquired by Minolta, Inc.

During his tenure from 1989 to 2005, Mike served as the Mayor of Mobile, Alabama for four terms, totaling 16 years. Throughout his time in office, he was dedicated to revitalizing downtown, promoting economic growth, and attracting foreign manufacturing investment. In addition to his work at the local level, he also played a significant role in regional and state economic development initiatives, striving to bring both foreign and domestic investments and job opportunities to the Mobile area. His contributions extended beyond his role as mayor, as he also held positions on the State of Alabama Commerce Commission, served as chairman of its Subcommittee on Trade, and was a member of the Alabama State Port Authority and the Alabama World Trade Association. Mike’s hard work and success have not gone unnoticed, as he has been recognized with prestigious awards such as Mobilian of the Year, University of South Alabama Distinguished Alumni Award, State Arts Council Businessman of the Year, and The Southeast Tourism Council Guiding Light. Throughout his mayoral term in Mobile, Mike prioritized enhancing downtown and tourism development while actively seeking out foreign investment opportunities for local industries.

Following his time in the office, Mike held executive roles at Centralite Systems and as Executive Director of the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum.