Mike Beltzner Product Shepherd at Beltzner Consulting

Mike is one of the smartest people I've ever worked with. I was constantly in awe of how many different things he could juggle at once. He's an amazing communicator and public speaker. He's also a hell of a lot of fun to work with. I would work with him again in a heartbeat.

Simply put, Mike's one of the best in the game. He's an incredible product visionary, a fierce advocate for users, and the people's champion of the team. Armed with laser sharp product instincts and the ability to find real meaning in numbers, Mike's decisions are the compass in the uncertain seas of internet startups.

Simultaneously, he manages to be tuned into the most minute details of execution; I've yet to meet anyone that can contribute at depth on as many levels as Mike. His influence spans well beyond the realm of product - Mike's impact on engineering, marketing, strategy and company culture is undeniable.

As he brings his best to the table everyday, he compels everyone around him to do the same. Add all this to a general affable self and you've got yourself a guy everyone is proud to call their captain. Opportunities to work with people like Mike are few and far between - I'd suggest you seize it while you can.

Mike is one of the most passionate and driven product leaders that I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He is a fierce advocate for the user and is skilled at cat herding global teams and disparate stakeholders to get things done.

Mike is a tireless advocate for users. He knows how to make the right compromises and knows when to stand firm. I've seen him absorb disparate and often contentious feedback and drive an organization to the best possible outcome for the product, his team, and users. His expertise is at the intersection of ux, product, engineering, and marketing. He is a rare and special snowflake and I hope someday our careers cross paths again.

Mike is incredible. He does not shirk. He has an opinion. A product with Mike at the helm is owned in the fullest sense of the word. He is a person who sees every detail but also the big picture.

Mike never says it's not his problem, not his department. He never accepts that it's good enough for our competition or our test infrastructure or our checklist. Mike wants to build great things, and makes the people around him want to build great things.

He has passion. He *is* passion. If you're reading this because you think there's a chance you might interest Mike in being an advocate for your product, you're making a smart move. You should try your best to close the deal. He will triple the energy invested in your product strictly through force of presence, and I'm not even joking. Close the deal. He likes single malts.