Mike Burns

Mike Burns serves as the Timothy M. Miles Director of the Center for Professional Selling at the University of Wyoming, where he leads strategic initiatives focused on student development, corporate engagement, and experiential learning in sales education. Since taking on this leadership role in 2022, Burns has expanded the Center into a nationally recognized program by securing more than $75,000 annually in strategic corporate partnerships, developing innovative curriculum offerings, and mentoring students to top placements in national sales competitions.

 

With nearly two decades of experience working in front-office roles for Major League Baseball organizations, including leadership positions with the Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, and Milwaukee Brewers, Burns brings a real-world perspective to sales instruction. His professional background includes managing multi-million dollar budgets, negotiating high-value contracts, and leading player development and scouting operations across the country. He now uses that experience to design immersive, hands-on learning opportunities for students both in the classroom and through his role as faculty advisor to the UW Sales Club.

 

Burns teaches courses in Professional and Technical Selling, Sports Sales, and Sales Competition Preparation. His instruction emphasizes consultative selling, customer relationship management systems, NIL strategy, and data-driven sales techniques. His teaching has earned strong student evaluations, regularly receiving ratings above 4.8 out of 5.0, and he has consistently coached students to national recognition in B2B and sports sales competitions.

 

As an active researcher and practitioner, Burns is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Marketing with research interests in behavioral sales strategy, salesperson judgment and decision-making, and donor and brand strategy in NIL markets. Outside the university, he officiates NCAA wrestling, supports student-centered community initiatives, and enjoys outdoor recreation across the state of Wyoming.