2005 Forty Under 40

Mike Rosenberg
2005 U.S. Figure Skating Championships
Managing Director

Educational history: Degree in business administration with marketing and sports marketing emphases, University of Oregon; Lincoln High School in Portland.

Professional history: I just completed my role as Managing Director of the 2005 U.S. Figure Skating Championships. Prior to that, I served as the marketing director for the Oregon Sports Authority.

What led to your present career? My job at the Oregon Sports Authority entailed bringing sports events to Oregon. After we brought the U.S. Figure Skating Championships to Portland, I transitioned to run the event.

What’s the most stressful part of your job? Knowing that millions of people will be watching your event live and on television and that you are representing the city of Portland to the rest of the country.

Name one personal indulgence: Wine. I’ve started a very small cellar, but one day…

Favorite restaurant: Winterborne.

What are your special talents? I’m a pretty good cook. But I’m even better at watching the Ducks!

Why are you in Oregon? I haven’t been able to leave. Golf abounds and skiing and the beach are only an hour away.

Tell us one bit of personal trivia that might surprise people: Despite living in Oregon my entire life, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel to many foreign countries.

Describe a difficult decision you made and what guided you to that choice: It really wasn’t a tough internal decision because it was the only one that could be made, but it was tough to have to make it. That was continuing with the Figure Skating Championships on Saturday, Jan. 15, in spite of the ice storm in Portland when we knew that there were going to be fans that couldn’t make it to the events.

What word or slogan best describes you? “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.”

What do you do to relax? Take my dog to the park and travel with my wife.

Briefly describe a charitable or political cause you actively support, and why: The Police Activities League, Oregon Sports Authority Foundation, Friendly House and YMCA because they give kids opportunities to participate in sports. Sports can have an immeasurable influence on kids’ lives – it gives them something positive to do and helps keep them active and healthy