Mike Lafferty

Being named chief operating officer of the Xtreme Soccer League in 2008 was the culmination of Mike Lafferty’s lifelong soccer journey.

He grew up in soccer-mad São Paolo, Brazil, became a high school star in Cinnaminson, N.J., and received a scholarship to Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn., where his coach, Len Bilous, went on to coach in the inaugural professional indoor soccer game in the first Major Indoor Soccer League in 1978.

After several years in the airline industry, Lafferty was office services manager for the National Hockey League (NHL) in 1987. The following year, he began a 16-year stint with Midwest Airlines before joining the Milwaukee Wave as chief operating officer in 2004.

While with the Wave, Lafferty oversaw annual double-digit revenue growth; a 100 percent increase in sponsorship partners; foundation of the Making Waves educational initiative; game-day additions such as the Fun Zone and corporate suites; and a partnership with Time Warner Cable that brought Wave games and a coach’s show to television viewers throughout Wisconsin

Mike and his wife Linda have four children, Samantha, Michael, Alexandria and Nicolette, and reside in Muskego, Wis.