Mike Eckert is a well-respected business executive, seasoned in launching startups and early-stage investing and financing. With a wealth of experience, he has been instrumental in building and scaling various ventures in the media and technology industries. Eckert was a key member of the launch team that established The Weather Channel, serving as its President and CEO for over a decade. He also led Pathfire, a technology startup, as its Chairman and CEO, where he transformed it into a leading digital asset management and distribution provider to media companies.

Currently, Eckert is actively involved in the early-stage business and investing ecosystem, holding several critical positions such as Chairman of the NO/LA Angel Network in New Orleans, Chairman of the Investment Committee of The Pelican Angel Fund, and a member of the Investment Committee of the New Orleans Start-Up Fund. He is a Limited Partner Advisory Council member of the Louisiana Venture Capital Fund and serves as a member of the Advisory Board of the Angel Syndication Network (ASN). Additionally, he is an active angel investor and limited partner in various venture capital funds.

Eckert's extensive academic background includes studies at Northern Illinois University and DePaul University. He has served as Executive Director at Loyola University New Orleans and spent two terms on the Board of Directors of the national Angel Capital Association. Eckert was also on the Mentor-Steering-Committee at the Advanced Technology Development Center in Atlanta and was an Executive Mentor at the Propeller Accelerator in New Orleans.