Michael Vanderslice on a mountain ridge in Madeira
Entrepreneur  ·  Adventurer  ·  Volunteer Not all who wander
are lost.

Forging the Path Less Traveled

I've never been one for the conventional route. Whether taking a bike tour across Europe, hiking all over Arizona, launching a new business, or helping a founder bring a disruptive software idea to market, I am drawn to the journeys that require a little more adventure. I thrive on overcoming the obstacles that deter others, finding solutions to problems worth solving, and leaving the trail better than I found it.

My Adventures Professional Journey
⌄
📍  ABOUT ME

Where Passion Meets Purpose

I'm a serial entrepreneur and fractional COO who believes life is best lived at the intersection of ambition and adventure. Whether I'm pedaling the historic Erie Canal towpath from Buffalo to Albany, navigating the challenges of building a startup, or lending a hand in the communities that need it most — I bring the same energy and commitment to everything I do.

My journey has taken me from boardrooms to towpaths, from startup pitches to volunteer work with nonprofits. I've been part of more than 10 startups with multiple exits, leading operations, product, technology, and customer experience across healthcare, SaaS, consumer services, and retail. Each experience has reinforced my belief that the best stories are written outside your comfort zone.

📍
60+
Countries & States Explored
❤️
500+
Volunteer Hours
💼
10+
Businesses Built
Michael Vanderslice
Mike Vanderslice
Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
Dolomites, Italy
Dolomites, Italy
Arizona Trail
Arizona Trail
Erie Canal
Erie Canal, June 2024
Crest Trail, Miller Peak
Crest Trail, AZ
Cinque Torri, Dolomites
Cinque Torri, Italy
🧭  ADVENTURES

Trails, Roads & Wild Places

From long-distance bicycle tours to backcountry expeditions, these are the journeys that have shaped my perspective.

Erie Canal — Buffalo to Albany
🚴 Bicycle Tour
Erie Canal — Buffalo to Albany
1 Week364 mi
Read more →
Grand Canyon
🥾 Hiking
Grand Canyon
500+ Miles9 Rim-to-Rim
Read more →
Coming Soon
🥾
[ Appalachian Trail photo ]
🥾 Hiking
Appalachian Trail
2 Weeks200 mi
Coming Soon
🚴
[ Munich to Venice photo ]
🚴 Bicycle Tour
Munich to Venice Bike Tour
10 DaysEurope
15 Days in Belgium & the Netherlands
🚴 Bicycle Tour
15 Days in Belgium & the Netherlands
15 DaysEurope
Coming Soon
✈️
[ Portugal Madeira photo ]
✈️ Travel
Portugal & Madeira Trip
2 WeeksEurope
Coming Soon
🚴
[ Pittsburgh DC photo ]
🚴 Bicycle Tour
Pittsburgh to DC Bike Trip
6 Days335 mi
Coming Soon
🚴
[ Katy Trail photo ]
🚴 Bicycle Tour
Katy Trail Bike Tour
7 Days240 mi
Coming Soon
✈️
[ Dolomites photo ]
✈️ Travel
Dolomites, Italy
10 DaysItaly
💼  PROFESSIONAL

Entrepreneurial Journey

From my first startup to leading teams today, each venture has been driven by a passion for solving real problems and creating lasting value.

💡
2021 — Present
Founders Workshop
Chief Operating Officer / Partner
Helping savvy founders, entrepreneurs, and business executives scope, validate, build, and launch their software apps. Using operational, startup, and growth experience to get ideas out of founders' heads and into the market. Responsible for long-term strategy, customer experience, and day-to-day operations.
Product StrategyStartup AdvisingSoftware Development
🤖
Dec 2025 — Present
Serpico AI Learning Center
COO (Fractional)
Supporting startup operations as Fractional COO, focusing on operational systems and processes. Overseeing key areas including IT, finance, marketing, legal, and sales. Collaborating with the CEO on strategy, bookkeeping, and vendor management.
Fractional COOAI & EdTechOperations
🏥
2014 — Present
Reputation Health
Founder & Board Member
Founded and built a SaaS-based reputation management and customer experience platform for medical practices, hospitals, and healthcare professionals. Led biz dev, customer success, and operations. Currently serves as advisor to the company and key clients.
SaaSHealthTechCustomer Experience
⚙️
2014 — 2019
ServiceGuru
Co-Founder / COO
Co-founded and built a SaaS-based customer experience platform from ideation through MVP to product launch. Key customers in healthcare, restaurant, and hospitality. Led operations, product management, software development, customer success, sales and marketing.
Co-FounderSaaSProduct-Market Fit
📱
2017 — 2018
TechFly
Fractional CEO
Gig economy proof-of-concept launch in the technology services space. Collaborated with the Nerd Alert team and an investment group including a Shark Tank alumnus.
Gig EconomyTwo-Sided MarketplaceFractional CEO
💻
2008 — 2014
MD Tech Pro
Founder & CEO/COO
IT support and technology services company in the healthcare vertical, helping hundreds of physicians convert their practices to EMR software. Built a recurring subscription model and led the company from startup through national growth to a successful exit.
Healthcare ITSuccessful ExitSubscription Model
🔧
2006 — 2008
ToFixIt
VP of Operations
Led operations, customer experience, contact center, product management, and customer success for a SaaS-based lead generation platform for service businesses. Built all systems and processes to scale to multiple US locations.
Lead GenerationSaaSOperations Scale
📡
2001 — 2006
Geeks On Call
VP of Operations
Part of the founding launch team that grew Geeks On Call from startup to a national brand with 400 employees in just 4 years. B2B and B2C technology services company providing services nationally, ultimately acquired.
Launch Team400 EmployeesAcquired
🏦
2000 — 2001
Liberty Tax
Director of Information Technology
Startup franchise system providing tax solutions for consumers. Focused on product, IT management, and customer support. Built foundational systems that helped the company scale to 2,500 locations nationwide.
Franchise SystemsIT LeadershipScale to 2,500 Locations
🏐
1991 — 2000
Tidewater Volleyball Association
Board of Directors (1991–1993)  ·  Executive Director (1993–2000)
Served on the board before taking over as Executive Director for seven years. Led the launch of a 25,000 sq ft training facility, grew juniors volleyball from 3 to 21 teams, and expanded adult leagues from 40 to over 140 teams per season. Created PR opportunities that landed the organization on regional TV, radio, and print.
Nonprofit LeadershipFacility Launch3 → 21 Junior Teams40 → 140+ Adult TeamsPR & Media
❤️  GIVING BACK

Volunteering & Community

The most rewarding adventures are the ones where you lift others up along the way. Here's how I try to make a difference.

🌐
Living Oncology
Board Member and Fractional COO for this 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, providing strategic leadership and operational support to help fulfill their mission supporting those affected by cancer.
👥 Board Member & Fractional COO · 2024 – Present
🥾
Arizona Trail Association
Trail Steward for a 6.8-mile section of the Arizona Trail in the Blue Ridge / Happy Jack area since June 2025, overseeing maintenance and preservation of a small piece of the 800-mile non-motorized path from Mexico to Utah. Also a general volunteer since 2018, assisting with trail building efforts and community events that promote and support the AZ Trail across Arizona.
🥾 Trail Steward · June 2025 – Present  ·  Volunteer · 2018 – Present
🚀
Galvanize Inc — Mentor
Mentoring startups and early-stage growth companies, drawing on two decades of entrepreneurial experience to help founders navigate the challenges of building a business.
🚀 Volunteer Mentor · March 2018 – Present
📖
Prior Volunteering
USA Volleyball — Board Member & Commissioner (1996–2003). Arizona Tech Investors — Advisor, assisting with event development, process improvement, and venture recruitment (2008–2013).
👥 USA Volleyball · AZ Tech Investors

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."

— Mahatma Gandhi

📷  PHOTO ALBUM

Life on the Trail

A rolling collection of moments from the road, the trail, and everywhere in between. Updated as the adventures keep coming.

📸🏔️🚴
📷  Google Photos Album
Adventures in
Photos
Bike tours, hikes, travels, and everything in between. New photos added as the journey continues.
Open Full Album  →
🚴
Bike Tours
Erie Canal, Europe, Pittsburgh to DC and more
→
🥾
Hiking & Trails
Grand Canyon, Arizona Trail, Madeira and beyond
→
✈️
Travel & Exploration
60+ countries & states across the world
→

Let's Connect

Whether you want to talk about business opportunities, plan an adventure, or discuss how to make a difference — I'd love to hear from you.

Navigate
Get in Touch
✉️ Send me a message →
🔗 linkedin.com/in/mslice
📍 Phoenix, Arizona
© 2026 Michael Vanderslice. All content, photos, and stories are the property of Michael Vanderslice and may not be reproduced without permission. ↑