Mike Giallombardo grew up in Cape Coral where he attended Pelican Elementary, Gulf Middle, and both Mariner and North Fort Myers High Schools. Some of Mike’s fondest memories of his childhood are playing Pop Warner Youth Football at the Storm Football Complex on Chiquita Blvd. under Coaches Frank and Joe Connelley.
Mike’s time playing Pop Warner and high school football provided him the opportunity to continue playing at the collegiate level. He played outside linebacker at Georgia Military College and Florida Atlantic University under legendary coach Howard Schnellenberger.
After earning his Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Mike chose to enlist in the United States Army.
After Bootcamp, he deployed with the 4th Infantry Division to Iraq where he conducted countless missions, including patrols of local villages and combat with insurgents in the Southern region. While in Iraq, Mike took a key leadership role serving as an advisor where he worked with senior Iraqi military leaders and law enforcement officers.
Over the course of his 12 years of military service, Mike received numerous awards, most notably ARCOM for the capture of one of Iraq’s most wanted terrorists. While serving, Mike also earned his Master’s degree in International Relations from American Military University.
Currently serving as a Chief Warrant Officer II in the Florida National Guard, his most recent activation was to assist with the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mike and his unit supported medical personnel at various testing sites in South Florida.
In June of 2008, Mike married his wife, Wendi, a high school teacher of 16 years, just before his deployment to Iraq. Their first two years of marriage were spent separated, but they persevered and have been married almost 12 years. They have 3 beautiful children Ivey (9), Luca (8), and Presley (5).
In 2010, Mike left active duty and was awarded a contract with Lockheed Martin in Washington, DC, where he served as support staff for Counterterrorism Operations.
After his time with Lockheed Martin, Mike was hired as the Dean of Military and Veteran Affairs at his alma mater, Florida Atlantic University. As the Dean of Military and Veteran Affairs, Mike spent countless hours helping veterans with their transition into civilian life. While at FAU, Mike became involved in the Veterans Florida Entrepreneur Program, a program for veterans that helps them start their own businesses. To this day, Mike is still a major supporter and contributor to this program.
In 2014, Mike started his own technology-based company, Total Intelligence Group (TIG). Knowing how important cybersecurity is, Mike’s company provides assistance for both private and public organizations in cybersecurity, software development, and data analysis.
In addition to his personal and professional accomplishments, Mike is also a major contributor to his community. Mike is currently an advisor to the South Florida Defense Alliance, an organization that supports the economic impact of the military community in South Florida. He is on the Venture Mentoring Team where he provides mentorship to new start-up businesses.
Mike also sits on both Keiser University and The University of South Florida’s Business Cybersecurity Advisory Boards.
He is a member of the Military Officers of America Association in Cape Coral (MOAA) and a member of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves of Southwest Florida, an organization that works to bridge the gap between national guardsmen, reservists, and employers.
Locally, Mike served as the Organizing Chair for the 2019 Cape Coral Memorial Day Parade. He has actively taken part in the preservation of The Everglades ecosystem by protecting native species from invasive species. Knowing how important education is to our youth, Mike is very passionate about STEM programs in our schools. He is currently working with Cape Coral Charter Schools in assisting to build a STEM program for kindergarten through the 12th grade in hopes of providing our future generations with knowledge and skills that they will need to succeed in our tech-driven world.
Mike’s military experience and passion to help others has led him to continue his dream of becoming a member of Florida’s Legislature. Mike has been involved in both Senator Marco Rubio and Representative Dane Eagle’s campaigns. In 2016, Mike introduced then Presidential candidate Donald Trump at his very well attended Southwest Florida Rally at the Hertz Arena. Mike Giallombardo is now running to be your next Florida State Representative for Cape Coral’s District 77.
Thank you for your service, Mike Giallombardo, you are truly a Hometown Hero.
