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What
Can Happen in Five Short Years
Michael Shannon, MBA '81
President,
North American Commercial Solutions
Equifax, Inc.
 From 2001 to 2006, when Michael Shannon was running European operations
for the consumer credit giant Equifax, he had little contact with
Atlanta or the Robinson College. When he landed back in Atlanta in
early 2007 as president of Equifax’s commercial solutions division, he
found a city and a school transformed into international business hubs
with Fortune 500 headquarters, a revitalization
of Midtown, and new airline routes to the Far East.
In financial information services, Equifax also was firmly on the
international map. With a long-term presence in Canada, Equifax began
expansions into Europe in 1990, followed by Latin America in 1994, and
this year into India. This summer, the company moved into Russia, and
it has next set its sights on Mexico.
With all his work abroad, Shannon remains a big supporter and believer
in Atlanta. “I think Atlanta is one of the best cities for business in
the United States,” he says, “and it will do better than other cities
during this downturn.”
Still, he points to short-term “Atlanta-centric” problems that have to
be addressed—water, infrastructure and traffic.
Equifax is trying to help by offering employees more flexible work
hours and office locations throughout the metro area. The company also
is encouraging the use of webcasts, teleconferences, and
telecommunications to replace driving.
Shannon believes Robinson can help, too. “Georgia State and Robinson
College are one of Atlanta’s best-kept secrets,” Shannon says. “As a
major tenant, the university has returned some vibrancy to downtown.
It’s in a prime position to take advantage of the urban population
moving back in, and its community educational forums and advanced
degrees like the new Executive Doctorate in Business are helping
Atlanta businesses succeed.”
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