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Mitch Free fervently believed in an idea that struck others as crazy, impossible or worse. Why would someone create an online marketplace when all others were crashing and burning and why do it in an industry as slow to adopt and as fractured as manufacturing? The answer - passion.Mitch Free has over 20 years of experience and has spent much of the time solving problems and not listening to conventional thinking. Mitch founded and now serves as the President and CEO of MFG.com. Since founding the company, Mitch has followed his original business plan and has created a company that is continuing to change the way that manufacturers do business. Through his vision, creativity and persistence, Mitch has grown MFG.com to a company that services thousands of buyers and suppliers. Mitch is responsible for leading the strategic direction of the company and overseeing the overall management of MFG.com. Under his leadership, the company has experienced a tremendous amount of growth in a market segment he is continuing to help define.Prior to founding MFG.com, Mitch was founder and CEO of 3DATUM, a provider of technology solutions for the manufacturing and engineering communities. In addition to these roles, Mitch has held a variety of senior management positions with Northwest Airlines where he managed aircraft engineering, technical procurement and aircraft acquisition projects.Mitch, an Atlanta-native, began his career on the shop floor and has worked his way to the top of the manufacturing industry. He holds two patents and is recognized among his peers for his strategic vision, domain expertise and creative management style. Inc. Magazine named him an "Entrepreneur of the Year" finalist in 2005, and under his leadership MFG.com was ranked by Deloitte and Touche as one of the top technology growth companies in the U.S., and in the top 10 technology growth companies in Georgia. Mitch is an avid speaker at technology forums and conferences, including recent presentations to the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers. Mitch belongs to the Atlanta Technology Angels, a private group that actively seeks investments in early stage technology companies based in Atlanta. | 