Mike's Profile

Mike Zakis, the owner and founder of Higher Vistas, is working on his third career as a professional speaker, facilitator, author and business owner. He started as a medal winning computer technician in the U.S. Air Force and served a tour of duty in Southeast Asia during the Viet Nam conflict.

After his discharge he worked his way up from Field Engineer to Supervisor and into Upper Management with National Semiconductor. This was during their “Animals Of Silicon Valley” days, helping Datachecker Systems become the Number One point-of-sales computer manufacturer and pioneers in the use of laser scanners.

Since leaving National Semiconductor and moving to Southern Arizona Mike has become a professional speaker, seminar facilitator and coach. He has spent several years in Toastmasters, is one of less than one-fifth of one percent to achieve Distinguished Toastmaster status, and was the producer a live television show.

Among Mike’s many honors, he has been listed in Who’s Who In The West and Who’s Who Worldwide.

When the opportunity to become associated with the Og Group’s Greatest Salesman, Inc. and Six Advisors Inc. Mike jumped at the opportunity. Developing people is one of his passions and this is a fantastic way to do it. Notice Mike doesn’t use the word “training” but rather “development.” As he sometimes says, “You train your pets but develop your people!”

Mike’s business card says, “Keynote/Motivational Speaking” but he knows that he really can’t motivate anyone who isn’t forward-thinking and determined to succeed, thus he calls it “Keynotes For Thinkers” on this web site. He has helped thousands change their habits, attitudes and values to improve all areas of their lives.

Mike has a great sense of humor so if you see a car with a license plate that says, “I SPEAK”, that’s Mike. Please smile and wave to him.