Michael Carter Griffin was born on August 5, 1963, in Williamston, a small town in Eastern North Carolina. He is a 1985 accounting graduate of Liberty University in Virginia. He took his accounting degree to Pinehurst, NC, where he started his career as an accountant. In 1987, he was hired as Chief Finance  Officer (CFO) for Moore County Government in Carthage, NC. During his 17-year service with the county, he obtained his CPA certificate, as well as various designations and certifications as a public  finance officer and a local government leader. He then worked for the private sector for three years as CFO for Pine Needles and Mid Pines Resorts in Southern Pines, NC. In 2007, he returned to public service as CFO for Moore County Schools, also in Carthage, until his retirement in December 2015. He retired after a 30-year career. He and his wife Cathy have 2 sons, Joshua and Jacob