Mike Shue

General Manager, Venue Services

Native of China Grove, NC

Industry: Special Events

Mike Shue is all over Rowan County in his work with Venue Services, setting up stages, tents, lighting, and tables and chairs for big events. He and the Venue Services team have “the unique opportunity to be in all the different towns,” he says, “connecting with as many people as we can, from ‘Cruise In’ and concerts in Landis, Farmer’s Day in China Grove, the Cheerwine Festival in Salisbury, the Polar Express at the N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer, Winterfest with the Town of Spencer, and more. 

He has learned that “it’s all about community” and making community better. That fits with his image of the Rowan County slogan, Be an Original. ™

“Being an original means that you bring to the table what you have to offer as an individual, and you plug that into your community to add your talents and uniqueness to make it better,” he says. “I can be me and be original, but when I combine that with others, we create a community that’s worth fighting for.”

His home county is worth the effort. “Rowan County has everything,” he says. “It’s a growing county. It’s diverse. The feeling that Rowan County presents is that we are in it together, trying to make the best decisions.”

After high school at South Rowan and four years in the Marine Corps, Mike and his wife, Tamera, decided that Rowan would be home to them. Their families are here, and they are very involved in their church, Grace Bible Church in Rockwell. Tamera comes from a family of missionaries, and she was born and grew up in South America. Their 13-year-old son, Riley, is an eighth grader at Southeast Middle School. Mike also participates in the Rowan Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals group. 

Of all the events that he works, Mike says that the ’Tis the Season holiday parade is his favorite. “I love Christmas,” he says “The parade has a lot of moving parts. It’s neat to see how it all comes together … all different people in the community working together.”

Good Fellas is his favorite restaurant. It’s great food but what keeps his family coming back is owner Chef Santos himself. “You’re part of a local family when you walk in the door,” says Mike. “We go back for the relationship with Santos.”

His favorite outdoor space is High Rock Lake. The family has kayaks and friends have boats and lake homes. “The lake draws people to it,” he says. “We spend our time on the water in the summers with friends and family — people that matter in our life.”

Mike says that Rowan County is a community that cares about people. “We come together,” he says. There is opportunity to get involved and make a difference. “Rowan County is bursting at the seams with people who are intent on being a part of making the world a better place and helping those who are in it.

“I’m a firm believer that what you focus on will grow. Rowan County chooses to focus on making the community a better place for everyone! So many good people are striving to enhance this place we that call home, and we are looking for others with like-minded interests to join us.”