Stories of Leadership: Mike Gilligan

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in accounting from San Diego State University in 1978, Michael Gilligan spent several years with Price-Waterhouse, then moved on to become Chief Financial Officer for North County Bank. Gilligan spent 18 years with the bank including staying on after its acquisition by Wells Fargo. 

He is now a founding partner in the Burger Lounge Restaurants, an eight-unit chain specializing in the upscale hamburger experience.

Tell us the highlights of your professional career.  What are your proudest achievements?

The highlight and proudest moment of my career is the success we’ve had with Burger Lounge.  We started from scratch and built it into a success that’s moving beyond San Diego. My business partner, Dean Loring, has all the restaurant experience; with my financial background, we complement each other’s talents.

What’s your favorite college memory?

I remember all the times my friends and I headed off campus for lunch just to get a break from classes and studying. There were a lot of little sandwich and burger places around campus that had pretty good food and a beer at reasonable prices. It was fun just to get away for a while.

Who was your favorite professor and/or what was your favorite class?

My favorite professor was Ted Skekel who taught Intermediate Accounting. He was a great guy, not much older than the students he was teaching, and he really got along well with everyone. That class was what got me interested in accounting.  It went beyond the introductory class, and really dove into the meat and potatoes of accounting. See how that food theme somehow is in all of my answers?

If you were to give current SDSU students some advice, what would you say?

Take every class seriously, even if it isn’t your major.  Your general education is just as important, and what you learn will be valuable down the road. Throughout your life that exposure to history, culture, travel and other disciplines will enhance your life.

What are you currently reading? What’s your favorite book?

I’m re-reading "Great Expectations" right now. I think this is my fourth time. My favorite book is "Les Miserables."  The world depicted in that book is so vivid and the stories so interconnected. I like how it hits on architecture, history and the culture of a different time and place.

What is your passion?

I love to travel. I just returned from Patagonia, and my next trip will be a return to Scotland. I’m looking forward to future trips to the Galápagos Islands and Antarctica.

What is your motto?

I guess it would be the Golden Rule — Do unto others. That covers it all.

If you won the lottery, what would you do with your winnings?

I’d support my preferred charities, then retire and travel.

Which trait do you value most in your friends and colleagues?

I admire the ability to laugh at oneself. Too many people take themselves too seriously.

If you knew you could not fail, what would you attempt?

I’d climb Mt. Everest.