40 Under 40: Michael Paul

Michael Paul is an innovator. As development manager for Firefly Integrations, he oversees all research and development of new products and is constantly exploring, planning and drafting business cases for those products. He’s brought two new products to market in the last 10 months.

Michael believes the key to success as a leader is encouraging his team to be innovators. too.

“I believe in empowering my team members to take full responsibility for their areas of expertise, which has led to greater innovation and efficiency across our projects,” Michael says.

Marketing Content Specialist Amani Simon describes Michael’s leadership style as transformational.

“He has fostered an environment of ownership and accountability among his team members through culture-building and personal interactions,” Amani says. “This has given Firefly Integrations’ app group the autonomy to adopt new technologies and the embedded screen team the freedom to explore and implement a new, more advanced program. By giving them the tools, resources and support they need to succeed, he has created the space for everyone to excel and deliver exceptional results.”

Michael’s team’s employee retention rate has reached 100% since he implemented major initiatives that improved project management and fostered a more collaborative work environment. This is especially notable, considering the industry average turnover rate for embedded engineers is 21.7%.

The innovation Michael has inspired within his team resulted in the use of complex new technologies, which have set a new standard for Firefly’s products.

“By giving his team the freedom to think innovatively, they can adapt quickly, overcome challenges efficiently and deliver high-quality results,” Amani says.

Michael has held many different positions at Firefly Integrations. He began in 2015 as a technician, focusing on integrating and testing A/V control systems. In 2017, he advanced to engineer, where he developed embedded systems and hybrid web apps. Michael then led a department of 15 people as engineer manager, concentrating on mobile app and future product development.

Since November 2023, Michael served as development manager at Firefly Integrations. In this role, he leads multiple teams, including app developers, embedded developers and graphic designers.

Outside of work, Michael spends time outdoors camping and gardening with his wife and three children. Even when he’s not at the office, Michael is helping others. He serves as a financial coach for individuals and families looking to build sustainable budgets.

“This same drive to help others succeed is a core part of what makes my role as a manager so fulfilling,” Michael says. “I’m able to support my team in reaching their goals and navigating obstacles.”

Michael’s advice for upcoming leaders in the RV space:

“My favorite leadership quote right now is ‘People over projects.’ It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the well-being and development of team members over the success of any individual project.”