Michael Turner began his career in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served as a Marine security guard at the American embassies in Brussels and Moscow. After receiving his honorable discharge, Mike worked with the U.S. Secret Service in Chicago while finishing his bachelor’s degree in finance at Northeastern Illinois University.
He then launched an over 30-year career in distribution, working for 25 years with Anixter International, a Fortune 500 global distributor of communications and security products. Turner worked his way through the ranks at Anixter and developed a reputation for rescuing struggling businesses.
In 2021, Turner was selected to join Milwaukee-based CableMaster LLC after its acquisition by Tide Rock Holdings. Based in Milwaukee, CableMaster LLC is a specialized wire and cable distributor and manufacturer. CableMaster provides wire and cable solutions for power cords, wire harnesses, bulk wire and cable and customer-specific designs.
In his first year as CEO, Turner led CableMaster to achieve above-market growth while improving and transforming the company. He optimized the footprint of the distribution and production areas and led a turnaround on the quality side of the business. Turner helped strengthen the management team and operational processes. He implemented procedures to reduce risk in inventory and pivoted the company toward an improved communication model focused on the customer experience. He also adopted a new payroll system, introduced a 401(k) plan and created an engaging employee recognition program.
“Mike has the unique talent of stepping into a business in need of a turnaround and leading it to the next level of growth and success,” his team said. “As an intelligent, driven and experienced leader, he has specialty expertise in business transformations — a skill that follows him throughout his entrepreneurial story.”
Turner received his MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and was hired as the chief financial officer for an aerospace electronics subsidiary of Anixter. In that role, he led a turnaround — cleaning up and overhauling the company’s accounting and financials, integrating a European acquisition and positioning the new business for sale.
Turner went on to complete successful turnarounds at other companies, including a specialty trucking business with eight locations across the U.S., where he restructured the sales team and operations, among other changes. The result was organic growth of 25% while he was leading the business.
“I want to continue to be influential in the distribution by working with manufacturer partners, working with customers and finding ways to innovate and answer problems being faced by our customers in our ,” Turner said.
