President & CEO, Custom Business Solutions LLC; President, Premier Construction Inc.; Senator, West Virginia Senate
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Personal: Senator Mike Green
Business: Custom Business Solutions LLC
Twitter: @SenatorGreen
LinkedIn: Mike Green, President/CEO Custom Business Solutions, LLC.
Mike Green has always had the drive and determination to succeed—he just had to find the best outlets for achieving that success. The path to his career as an entrepreneur, business owner and state senator was revealed to him while he was exploring his true passions: entrepreneurialism and politics. Today, Green is the president and CEO of Custom Business Solutions LLC and president of Premier Construction Inc., as well as a West Virginia state senator.
“I had an entrepreneurial spirit from a very early age,” says Green. “If possible and appropriate, I always wanted to be the one making the decisions instead of letting someone else make them for me.” That spirit was put to test in 2005 when the opportunity to turn a real estate investment into a business revealed itself. Green had been buying, building and selling houses, and when his contractor moved out of state, Green started his own contracting company, Premier Construction Inc.
It wasn’t long before Green was ready to tackle a new project. “It had become obvious to me that there was an ever-growing need for human resource assistance for small- to medium-sized businesses,” he says. “At Custom Business Solutions LLC, we help our clients streamline essential administrative business functions so their businesses can focus on being successful and profitable.”
Green knows firsthand that starting a business is a risk, and he is thankful for those who never stopped believing in him. “Like most folks who have had some sort of measureable success in life, I am very blessed to have many individuals who have guided me and assisted me along the way.” He says there has been no person more influential in his professional career than his business partner, Steve Antoline. “He understands the challenges of starting a new business and has been very supportive of the direction I have taken our company.”
Green got to where he is today with hard work, dedication, a vision and the unwavering support of friends and family—and learning from the challenges along the way. “In each instance of starting a new business, there were times when I wasn’t sure how I would meet my obligations, but in those tough times I learned to enjoy and appreciate the successes.” These experiences have helped make him a productive state senator.
His decision in 2006 to run for office was one that would impact not only his life but also the people of West Virginia. “As a business owner, I saw firsthand the direct impact the government and the legislature have on small businesses,” he says. “Running for office has been one of the most rewarding decisions I have ever made—to be able to positively effect change in regard to public policy that allows our entire state to prosper and move forward has been well worth the time and energy.” Green, who was elected to represent the 9th District, was reelected in 2010 and has filed for reelection in 2014.
Holding office isn’t the only way he gives back to West Virginia. Green is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Southern States Energy Board, Shady Spring Youth Football League, Friends of Coal, Loyal Order of the Moose-Mullens Lodge, Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, Beckley Rotary Club and West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. Out of all the ways in which Green serves his community, the most rewarding by far is his involvement in coaching youth baseball, basketball and football. “I enjoy watching the kids thrive within the team concept because we are able to teach them life lessons through sports,” he says.
So, what pushes Green to make a difference in West Virginia? To him, the answer is simple. “My children are the driving force in my life. I want to see them grow up in an environment that is conducive for success—that is why I want to see our state succeed.”
What is your favorite . . . ?
Color – Green
Food – Filet
Cartoon Character – Popeye
Ice Cream – Chocolate
Animal – Dog
Book – The Bible
App – Facebook/Twitter
TV Show – “The Voice”
Movie – “Gladiator” and “The Dark Knight Rises”
Smell – Spring
Sports Team – Pittsburgh Penguins
Pet – My black labs, Crosby and Malkin
Place – The beach cures everything
Written by Maggie Matsko
Photography by Tracy Toler on location at Smith Company Motor Cars
