with people, which really helps me do my job
more effectively. I can’t do what I need to without
Michael A. Blakney, CPA,
CMA
Controller
NorComp
Charlotte, NC
www.michaelblakney.com
Mr. Blakney holds more than 20 years of
experience in various industries, includ-
ing automotive, plastic manufacturing,
and food service. Currently, he is the
controller at NorComp, a global leader in
the design, manufacturing, and market-
ing of I/O interconnect products based
in Charlotte, North Carolina. Mr. Blakney
considers the most rewarding part of his
profession to be his participation in busi-
ness growth and seeing the joy it brings
to business owners. He recalls providing
remediation of material weakness at the EMCON
Technologies plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina,
as a particular career highlight.
An alumnus of the University of Windsor in Cana-
da, Mr. Blakney earned a bachelor’s degree in com-
merce in 1995. He is also a Certified Management
Accountant.
How have you navigated disruptions in your
industry to remain a top professional?
I think it really helps to continue learning and look-
ing for new ideas. There is also a planning aspect
that’s important. You have to be in the here and now,
but you also have to look forward and interpret how
things in the economy or society will impact your
business. Forward planning helps to dictate direc-
tion. It’s important to plan correctly and use that
plan as a blueprint for the future.
What are two key behaviors/personality traits
that allow you to be effective in your role?
I am proactive — I like to look ahead, be involved,
and act as a driving force. Also, I think I am good
good relationships with different people in the “You have to be in
organization or outside, who bring me issues so
that I can address them. Actions drive me, and the here and now,
it’s important that I remain involved. It’s a bit of a
challenge; sometimes I have to force myself. I know
but you also have
I have a lot of work to do, but I have to go to the
meetings and conduct the daily walk-around, so
to look forward
everybody knows I’m there and that I care. and interpret how
What is the most important issue/challenge you
are dealing with in your industry right now?
things in the econ-
There are two things that are important issues omy or society
in my industry. First, is the lasting impact of
the COVID-19 pandemic on both the economy will impact your
and how we will run our business in the future.
Second, is the future relationship between the business. Forward
United States and Asia with a particular interest in
our relationship with China. This is an important planning helps to
issue for NorComp, as we source a majority of our
material from China and Taiwan. dictate direction.”
How do you feel your industry has changed/
evolved over time?
In our field, we are becoming more involved.
We’re not just number crunchers anymore — we
are being forced to do other things. In a way, we
are being forced to be general managers with an
expectation that we have to understand operations
and provide our feedback to help the rest of the
team run the business.
What new innovations or technologies do you
feel will shape the future of your industry?
The more rapid technology growth is, such as
artificial intelligence, the quicker we can pull
elements in to make us more efficient and more
effective at closing the books and understanding
the numbers. Also, these things help control the
internal processes, problems with which seem to
be popping up continuously.
What excites you the most about your industry?
For me, it’s basically being able to work within
the business, and service customers to help our
business grow financially and increase its brand
reputation. That is very important to me.