Mike Mitchener
Executive Director
Mike Mitchener is a former professional baseball player who transitioned into a successful corporate career following his time in sports. After 27 years as a manager with Wal-Mart and a four-year stint as a district manager for a grocery store chain, Mike discovered his true passion: helping the next generation develop into exceptional leaders.
As the Executive Director of the DME Foundation, Mike focuses on building lifelong connections between the greater Daytona Beach community and the students who attend DME Academy from Florida and across the globe. Under his leadership, the Foundation Scholarship program was established, enabling local community leaders to sponsor scholarships that make it possible for students to attend DME Academy. These scholarships foster meaningful relationships between donors and students, creating bonds that often last a lifetime.
In partnership with DME founder Mike Panaggio, Mike also developed the six-week Passion for Excellence course. This transformative program teaches students critical real-world skills, including leadership, public speaking, people skills, and social media responsibility. Through engaging topics, guest speakers from the local community, and real-life applications, the course equips students to rise from being good students to becoming elite leaders—academically and socially. It’s an inspiring journey that helps students stand out among their peers.
Mike believes in the power of family, a value that is central to the DME Academy experience. He cherishes the transformation from “classmates to teammates,” as those bonds often endure far beyond graduation. Mike looks forward to welcoming new members into the DME family and witnessing their growth and success for years to come.
We look forward to welcoming you into our family.