“Providing realistic solutions is what Mike does.  For the past 7 years, I’ve enjoyed working with and learning from Mike.  During the first 5 years of our working relationship I worked with Mike on development of our international business. Mike was a leader in the creative / graphic side of our growing enterprise and is credited with the success of our clear and comprehensive marketing tools.  For the past two years, I’ve worked with Mike from the Product Management side of our Wenger / Swiss Gear business.  It’s quite different from the flagship Victorinox brand. Mke’s experience and skills play a key role in providing the right solutions at the right price. Versatile, creative, and solution-oriented are all ‘good words’ to describe Mike.”  

Kimberley Vuitel
Director, Wenger Product Management
Victorinox Travel Gear AG

"I have known Mike professionally and personally for 23+ years. He has been a customer, a peer, and a friend. Let's start with customer. Mike is wicked talented.  I have witnessed first hand his ability to create. Ideas just fly out of him with ease.  He has the unique ability to see a situation, a challenge, or a positional statement need, and rock out extremely tight creations and strategies to conquer the need with ease.  It's amazing!  So, being extremely creative is a good thing, right? But wait, couple that with his ability to communicate with others, and pow, now we come to Mike the leader. Due to his incredible mix of relational abilities, he has also been tapped over the years to lead others. I had the privilege to see him in action, leading his team of folks, fearlessly, towards a common goal, time and time again. I have seen people be motivated by Mike, to do great things.  His technique is simple, lead by doing and lead by example! It comes natural to Mike and is apart of his DNA. 

Peer, mentor, confidant.  This is what Mike has become for me over the years.  He is wise and caring, always willing to listen, advising when asked, but willing to just listen if that's the call of the day. Sounds simple, right? I have worked with literally thousands of people in my 28 year career, and this part of Mike, is a rare find. He's my personal and professional "go to guy"!

Friend. The best way to explain Mike here is with that word. I know it seems very anticlimactic, but if you think about it, you really have only a very few number of people in your sphere, that are true friends. Everything I've outlined about Mike, illustrates why he is in my sphere. He is trustworthy, caring, and loyal.

In closing, I will leave you with one, short thought. If Mike is pulling the wagon, (and I know he will be) not only do I want to be in the wagon, but I am sure he will motivate me get out and pull, as well!"

Keith Marcks
Sr. Account Director/ Business Development
Nies/RR Donnelley & Sons

"I had the pleasure of working very closely with Mike at Victorinox for 6+ years. I was a Marketing Project Manager and worked with him and his team for all of my graphic design needs. He was always very good about seeing the “project manager” point of view and incorporating that into the design done either by himself or someone on his team to meet the goals of my projects. Through his direction on digital marketing graphics, he assisted in my success launching a brand new Ecommerce business for Victorinox Travel Gear. He is very professional in addition to being very easy to get along with. His skills and talents are very diverse and he would be an asset to any company."

Sarah Sanders
Director of Operations & Ecommerce
MBT USA, Inc.

"I'm giving my highest recommendation to my manager/coworker, Mike Montandon. I have had the pleasure to work with Mike for 6+ years with Victorinox and can say because of him, I am a better designer. 

Working with Mike has inspired me to achieve higher goals, because he encouraged me to reach out past my boundaries. When asked, Mike gave helpful criticisms of my work and then would volunteer to help me implement the solutions. Even as a manager, he was always a team player who could always be counted on to put in more than his share of the work. After normal business hours, Mike could often be found in his office putting the “finishing touches” on his next project.

On a personal level, Mike is well-liked by everyone he meets. His unique blend of humor and professionalism makes him a great team leader that would be an asset to any organization."

Karree David
Senior Graphic Designer
Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc.

“Mike is a natural creative director and a talented graphic designer. He has the ability to translate the needs of the business into his designs, balancing art with function. Mike is a real pleasure to work with.”

Ann Ponciroli
Vice President of Marketing
Keefe Group
Manager for 6 Years
TRG Group
 

Mike is someone that I always like to partner with on projects because he's easy to work with and, more importantly, you receive exactly what you were looking for. He listens to what your needs are so that when the finished product comes back you are not disappointed.

Karen Garcia
Director, Account Services
Victorinox Swiss Army, Inc.

"Mike Montandon has been a client of mine for 23 years. My experience is that he is reliably knowledgeable and insightful for his clients and professional in his knowledge of production; from concept, to shoot, to press, and to delivery. Mike typically has an opinion or idea of what he wants yet is flexible in his direction when presented with options. He is steady and delightful to work with and for at all times. Suffice it to say we are friends. However, I am a harsh critic, and this is a person you can count on to have your best interest at heart. He will always "show up". He will always "deliver". And he will "push the boundaries" whenever possible."

Scott Smith
Owner and Partner
Scott Smith Photogrpahy and Aligned Media

"I have been working with Mike for about 5 years now. We have worked together on quite a few projects from start to finish with great results. I know that he expects a lot from his suppliers, quality and performance (delivery) is the key. In Mike's role, he anticipates when a project needs to be complete, has a great understanding of manufacturing and what it takes to complete the order. Building relations is a MUST in this business. I've seen him work with his co-workers as well as suppliers, treats everyone with respect. I'm glad that I have had the opportunity to get to know him."

Doug Kirkpatrick
Sales Representative
ColorTek

"As a photographer I always look forward to working with Mike. He brings a great eye and easy attitude to all the projects we've tackled. With a solid understanding of what works Mike is always open to a fresh and different approach. Resulting in a creative environment that is unique, fun and productive."

Mike Speckhard
Owner
Mike Speckhard Photography