Michael Santillan

Michael “Mike” Santillan was raised on a Texas ranch where he learned to dream as big as his surroundings.

After completing high school, Mike moved to Arkansas to attend college at Harding University. After a couple of years, Mike decided to join the United States Navy where he served in the Persian Gulf War and peace keeping missions around the world. While in the Navy Mike learned a set of core values that include mutual trust, respect and care for others, excellent communication, and high integrity. After his Navy service, Mike spent 15 years working for Delta Air Lines teaching and leading teams within the Strategy and Technology department.

In the fall of 2012, determined to reach his goal of earning a college degree, Mike left Delta and enrolled at Gwinnett Technical College to pursue a degree in marketing. Soon after, Mike was “told” by his advisor that he was now part of an organization called Collegiate DECA. It did not take Mike long to discover how realistic Collegiate DECA experiences are to the real business world. He soon realized how this organization would be beneficial not only to him, but to others who are looking toward careers in business. In only his second semester, Mike was elected as DECA president for the GTC chapter.

In addition to Collegiate DECA, Mike is very involved in campus life as a member of Toastmasters International, Phi Theta Kappa and National Honor Society. He continues his passion for teaching by substituting for the Buford City School District. Mike is scheduled to graduate in the spring of 2014 and plans to continue his education with the hopes of one day teaching marketing and business classes at the high school or college level.