Friend. Mentor. Servant. Father. Brother. Even “supportive, kind and extremely funny.” These are just a few of the words that describe Mike Jiloty, who left us on Christmas Day.
Mike’s outstanding career began in the 1970s in a bank marketing department up north. He moved to Florida in 1977 to accept a new marketing position and later managed an Orlando advertising agency before opening his own firm locally, Jiloty, Shipley & Associates, in 1980. The firm became Jiloty Communications in 1986 and operated until 2002. At that time, Mike became president of Lord & Lasker/Florida in Ormond Beach. During his time in the Daytona Beach area, he and his team won hundreds of industry awards, including many Gold and Silver ADDY awards from the American Advertising Federation.
Mike was active in the community and held various volunteer leadership positions, including posts with the United Way of Volusia-Flagler, the American Advertising Federation-Daytona Beach and the FUTURES Foundation for Volusia County Schools. He was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Daytona Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and former Vice Chair of the Advanced Technology Center. Mike was also a graduate of the Leadership Daytona, Class XIV.
The list of organizations that have honored Mike and the awards he had received goes on and on. Since 1963, American Advertising Federation (AAF)-Daytona Beach has been honoring advertising and marketing greats who are also pillars in the community. Mike was a past recipient, joining a list of honorees that includes Jim Benedict, Tippen Davidson, Tony Welch and Mike Panaggio.
“Mike brought an important piece to our editorial board,” said John Guthrie, EVOLVE Editor. “Mike had developed so many relationships and was truly focused on shining a light on success in the community. His knowledge of the area, professionalism and friendship will be missed, but his contribution to our community will be remembered.”
In addition to his many accomplishments and roles, Mike was also a licensed pilot. When providing words of encouragement, Mike often counseled with an old aviation principle he was taught; “No matter what happens, just fly the plane.”
Mike will be remembered for his positive impact on our community, his kind spirit, his willingness to teach and lead and his loyalty, generosity and integrity. I think most will agree, Mike will go down in the books as a local legend.