Who is Michael Coles?

Michael Coles, candidate for the United States Senate, is committed to ensuring a voice in Washington for Georgia’s hardworking families, a voice that will represent the values of those Georgia families. Michael Coles is an accomplished businessman, community leader and education advocate who is living proof that there are “no limits” to what we as people, and as a nation, can accomplish.

• Living the American dream
• Striving against adversity
• A Leader in his community
• Giving back through public service
• Staying involved

Living the American dream

Michael Coles is the founder of the Great American Cookie Company who began working when he was 11 years old to help make ends meet for his family.  He held two jobs through junior high and high school and began working full time after he graduated, with the intention of saving money for college.  But, as work became more demanding of his time, the time for college never materialized.

In 1977, Michael and a business partner began the Great American Cookie Company with an initial investment of $8000 and a great deal of determination.  Today, the company has hundreds of stores nationwide with sales approaching $100 million.

Michael and Donna Coles live in Kennesaw, Georgia.  They have three adult children: Lorin, Jody, and Taryn. 

Striving against adversity

Six weeks after founding the Great American Cookie Company, Michael woke up in Northside Hospital after a near-fatal motorcycle accident.  Doctors told him that he would live but would never walk again unaided.  However, with the support of family and friends, and through a self-styled rehabilitation program, which included cycling, he was able to rehabilitate his legs.

Michael continued cycling and by 1984, he had set two World Transcontinental Bicycling records, biking from Savannah to San Diego in just 11 days, 8 hours, and 15 minutes to break his first record set in 1982.  And in 1989, Michael joined a four-man team to win the Race Across America, biking 3,000 miles from Los Angeles to New York in 5 days, 1 hour and 8 minutes.  Both records still stand today.

A leader in his community

In addition to his business and athletic pursuits, Michael has committed himself to serving his community.  With his wife Donna, Michael has contributed much of his time and resources to education, the environment and philanthropic organizations.  To honor these efforts, in 1995, the Georgia Chapter of the National Society of Fund Raising Executives honored Michael and Donna as the Georgia Philanthropists of the Year, for their contributions of time, work and resources to nonprofit causes. In addition, in 1986, Michael received the National Women’s Political Caucus’ Good Guy of the Year Award for his work on behalf of women’s issues.  He joined the ranks of past recipients, including Bill Cosby and former Vice President Walter Mondale.

Currently, Michael serves as a Member of the Executive Committee and Vice Chairman of the Board of Kennesaw State University, where in 1994 he and his wife Donna endowed the Michael Coles School of Business.  He serves on the Boards of Directors of the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeepers, Georgia Public Television, and the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, and is past Chairman and current Vice Chairman of the Board of The Walker School.  In addition, Michael is active in a variety of other civic and charitable organizations, including The Heart Association, which gave Michael its Community Service Award in 1996 and for which he is Chairman of the Metro Atlanta Heart Walk.

Giving back through public service

In 1996, Michael, who had never before sought political office, ran to represent Georgia’s Sixth Congressional District against House Speaker Newt Gingrich.  Proving his ability to find consensus and achieve common ground for the common good, Michael ran a strong race and received 47% of the vote in Cobb County, the most Republican county in Georgia, and one of the most Republican in the country.

In late September 1997, Michael announced his candidacy for U.S. Senate.  As he continues his dedication to giving back to Georgia, Michael has pledged that the values that have guided his life are the values that will guide him in the United States Senate -- a commitment to family, a rock-solid belief in the value of hard work, and a belief that in America, and especially in Georgia, anything is possible.

Staying involved

Business and Professional:

Civic Memberships and Involvement:

Environmental Organizations:

Educational Organizations:

[Home] [Biography] [Issues] [Endorsements]

[Campaign Trail] [His Own Words] [In the News]

[Press Room] [Photos] [Get Involved] [Voter Info] [Links]

[Contact Us] [Real Story] [Veterans’ Page] [Videos]

PAID FOR AND AUTHORIZED BY MICHAEL COLES FOR U.S. SENATE, INC.