Michael L. Piazza

  
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Michael Piazza

Michael is the Principal Associate and lead consultant of Professional Development Associates (PDA) and is the managing editor and publisher of the new PDA sites to be online in Summer 2008 including ControlsDigest.com and RevivalofGovernance.com.  His education includes a BBA in Accountancy, a Masters of Accountancy Degree, and an MBA Degree and holds a Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA) designation. The majority of Michael's career has been devoted to professional and organizational development with a focus in training program development and instruction in internal control, governance and related applications. 

Michael began PDA in 1996 providing performance management and internal control consulting to over 30 state agencies and regional companies. He resumed his international travel in 2003 as a consulting instructor for The Institute of Internal Auditors serving private and public sector organizations. As an instructor, Michael's specialties are: the COSO based

   
  internal control framework and applications; operational auditing; internal audit processes and supervision. In addition, Michael performs a variety of Internal Audit Quality Assurance consulting activities and internal controls development services for his clients.    
       
  Michael served The Institute of Internal Auditors throughout the 1980's as staff Instructor and Program Manager, then as a consulting Instructor. His manager roles included Manager of College and University Relations, Manager of Continuing Professional Development, Manager of Media Assisted Programs.

After his tenure as staff member and consultant to The IIA, Michael returned to his home state and spent the 1990's as an executive and then as a consultant to state government of Mississippi. He served in various executive capacities including State Policy Director and Director of Compensation for the Mississippi State Personnel Department, and Deputy Director for the Mississippi Arts Commission. He left staff work and performed as a consultant to 30+ agencies in performance management and control.

Michael and his wife Linda live in Clinton, Mississippi along with their dogs Alexander Little Wolfe and Simon Little Dog, pedigree West Highland White Terriers (same father) better known as 'Alex and Simon.' A part of their blended family are five children (3 Michael's, 2 Linda's) which include Michael Piazza, Jr. an airline pilot with Delta Airlines, John Piazza an attorney and public defender, Michael Lowe a LAN administrator and network engineer, Megan Lowe an event producer (Orlando, FL), and Beth Piazza a graduate student and youth social worker. 

Michael and Linda enjoy a small circle of close friends including Linda's long time friends Randy and Carla Wall and their sons Marshall and Carlton. They share a duplex in New Orleans with Linda's closest friend Nevada Barr.