Mike Bodker
Familyman, Businessman, Mayor
by Judy Le Jeune
photography by Heather Smith
3651 Peachtree Parkway Suite 425 - Suwanee, GA 30024
An initial meeting with Mike Bodker will quickly reveal that he is personable, dedicated, passionate, focused and has a delightful sense of humor. He exhibits all of these qualities as Mayor of Johns Creek, as Director of Consulting and a partner in nexDimension and with his wife Aileen and their four-year-old twins, Keri and Jake. Those who know Mike Bodker as Mayor of Johns Creek know how hard he works for the City. "One of the things you have to know about Mike Bodker is how fortunate we are to have him as our Mayor," said Johns Creek City Council Member Randall Johnson (Post 1). He has an incredible work ethic and the passion for getting this City off to the right start. He is dedicated and he is driven." But it is when Mike Bodker discusses his golf game that his colorful sense of humor and ability to laugh at himself is most apparent.
"Just because you like it, doesn't mean you're good at it," is Mike Bodker's overall observation of his golf game. As a member of The Standard Club, he recalls playing as part of a foursome of influential members who were excellent golfers. "I had a particularly bad round and was shocked when, at the 18th hole, one of the players asked, 'You'll play with us again, won't you?' 'Yes, of course,' I answered. 'But why would you want to play with me again?' I really wasn't surprised when the member responded, 'Because you make us look great!' " "I'm what is known as a 'high-handicapper,' which when calculated from the mind of a CPA, converts to a very low cost per stroke." Mike started golfing while in college and, though it's quiet obvious that he loves the game, he rarely has the time to play 18 holes or even practice his putting. The other recreational activity that Mike started in college and still loves is scuba diving.
Mike refers to scuba diving as his "Great Escape." "When I'm diving, I'm totally submerged in a place where there are no outside pressures. On dives, I might either focus on one fish as it navigates its way through the underwater world or take in and observe everything I can see while submerged." Though diving requires tremendous physical endurance, Mike says that he comes out of the water more refreshed and invigorated than before he submerged. "Scuba diving is my one true escape," he remarked. While on their honeymoon in Hawaii, Aileen learned to dive and became certified. Though they both enjoy scuba diving, they now prefer to spend their time on beach vacations with the twins and look forward to Keri and Jake getting certified so they can scuba dive together as a family.
Mike has found that several shorter vacations, to such favorite destinations as Aruba or Ixtapa, Mexico, are better than one long vacation. It gives him an opportunity to get away and focus completely on Aileen, Keri and Jake. For now, the family thoroughly enjoys relaxing at the beach, but as the children get older, Mike and Aileen are looking forward to resuming their world traveling as a family. During their first year of marriage, Mike and Aileen traveled to London and Paris and returned to Europe on a cruise where they had the opportunity to "dabble in cities, especially in Italy" that they look forward to returning to and exploring on a deeper level. They also look forward to taking a family trip to Israel.
Mike Bodker refers to himself as an "observer" and a "conversationalist." With a BBA from the University of Georgia and a career in accounting, Mike studies and analyzes everything that he observes. "I'm a student of the world, rather than books," he comments. I love to read for pleasure but rarely do because, when I read, I study what I'm reading and it takes too much time. I prefer to observe and then talk about my observations with others." To the contrary, Aileen is a voracious reader, often going through five or more books in a week.
It's a "dog's life" at the Bodker household for the other members of their family, Bailey and Molly. "They have what we refer to as a 'Mecca' especially for them with a large fenced yard and access to a room that is conveniently heated and air conditioned for their comfort," said Mike. He does admit that one of his regrets is not having the time that he would like to spend on long walks with Bailey and Molly.
The day he and Aileen married eleven years ago and the day Jake and Keri were born are among Mike's most treasured memories. The opportunity to run unopposed for Mayor of Johns Creek is surely one of the greatest professional honors of his life. "The citizens of Johns Creek had the confidence in me to plan and grow their city and it has been and will continue to be up to me to meet and exceed their expectations. Though the city is 90% 'up and running' there is much to accomplish in the remaining 10% and I won't be satisfied until it is at 100% of its potential."
One day, Mike Bodker will have more time to devote to his family and his favorite recreational pastimes: golfing and scuba diving. For now, he will continue to devote a majority of his time developing his partnership in nexDimension - an accounting technology firm that specializes in performance management - and developing the City of Johns Creek as its Mayor. One thing for certain is that all his endeavors will succeed because of the drive, commitment, time and energy that he contributes to all of his roles: familyman, businessman and Mayor.
