North Columbus News

Mike Doss, a former Ohio State University football player and national champion, shared his journey from athlete to business professional at the recent Ohio State Center for Operational Excellence (COE) 2025 Summit. The event, held at the Fawcett Center, gathered business professionals to exchange insights and strategies.

Doss, who hails from Canton, is one of the eight three-time All-Americans in Ohio State history. He co-captained the 2002 Buckeyes team that secured the national championship. After earning a communication degree, he played in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, and Cincinnati Bengals, achieving a Super Bowl XLI victory with the Colts.

In 2019, Doss attained a master of business operational excellence (MBOE) from Ohio State. Laurie Spadaro of the Fisher College of Business noted his leadership qualities: “In Mike, I saw a leader who leads by example, a teammate who lifts others up, and a friend who genuinely cares.”

Post-retirement, Doss transitioned to medical equipment sales. He noted, “I had to start my next journey,” and emphasized the importance of adaptability and discipline. Spadaro highlighted his success, saying, “His competitive nature served him well in this industry, and he became known for his consistency in meeting or exceeding sales goals.” Doss received the president’s club award multiple times.

After a decade, Doss shifted focus towards real estate to balance work with family time. “At the end of the day, I love sales. I want to work with people,” Doss stated, applying lessons from his MBOE studies to real estate. He continues to apply his Buckeye experiences to his career and advises others to align their actions with their values, asking, “How are you improving your skillset?”

The COE 2025 Summit also featured presentations by Brodie Riordan, Sarah Tilkens, Leah Roe, and Celeste Headlee, addressing themes like continuous improvement and problem-solving.