Mike Bates
About Mike Bates
Mike Bates serves as the Vice President of Product and Strategy at Raken, bringing over 20 years of experience in cloud-based solutions for small and mid-sized companies. He has held various leadership roles in product management and customer solutions across several organizations, including Rockwell Automation, AvidXchange, and Intuit.
Work at Raken
Mike Bates has served as the Vice President of Product and Strategy at Raken since 2019. In this role, he focuses on leading product development initiatives and strategic planning to enhance customer success. His responsibilities include collaborating with various teams to deliver innovative solutions that address customer needs and streamline operations. Bates' leadership emphasizes understanding customer challenges, which informs the design and implementation of effective strategies.
Previous Experience
Before joining Raken, Mike Bates held several key positions in various organizations. He worked at Rockwell Software - Rockwell Automation from 1999 to 2003 as Manager of Information Architecture and Design. He then served as Director of Product Management at MRI Software from 2006 to 2010. Bates continued his career at Intuit, where he was Group Product Manager from 2010 to 2014, and previously worked as Experience Design Manager from 2003 to 2006. He also spent five years at AvidXchange, Inc. as SVP of Customer Solutions from 2014 to 2019.
Education and Expertise
Mike Bates studied at Bowling Green State University from 1987 to 1991, where he gained foundational knowledge that supports his extensive career in product management and strategy. He has over 20 years of experience in designing and delivering cloud-based solutions tailored for small and mid-sized companies. His expertise encompasses leading teams across product, marketing, design, and engineering to develop SaaS and hosted solutions.
Board Advisory Role at Fiberify, Inc.
In addition to his role at Raken, Mike Bates has been serving as a Board Advisor at Fiberify, Inc. since 2023. In this capacity, he provides strategic guidance and insights to help the organization navigate growth opportunities and enhance its product offerings. His experience in customer solutions and product strategy contributes to the advisory role, enabling Fiberify to align its objectives with market demands.
Professional Interests and Activities
Mike Bates resides in San Diego and is actively engaged in professional and personal development. He has a passion for leading teams that prioritize customer success and innovation. Outside of his professional commitments, he participates in triathlons, reflecting his dedication to fitness and personal achievement. Bates is also active on LinkedIn under the username 'goalie58', where he connects with professionals in his field.