Honorary Chairman

The Honorary Chairman for the Cincinnati Celtic Festival 2018 has spent most of his life being a “Man for Others.”  Mike Conaton has, for decades, been recognized as one of Cincinnati’s most prominent business, cultural and philanthropic leaders.  

Mr. Conaton, a Marine veteran who attended Xavier University on a football scholarship, graduated in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy. Over the years he’s assisted his alma mater in a variety of capacities, including as board chairman and interim president. The university has recognized his service by granting him an honorary doctorate and naming its Learning Commons building after him.

He joined Midland Company in 1961, was president from 1988 to 1998, and vice chairman for two years after that.  He also held company posts as chief financial officer and board member.  Memberships elsewhere have included the Athenaeum of Ohio Board and the local St. Vincent de Paul Advisory Panel.  

Mike Dunn, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul–Cincinnati, has described Mr. Conaton as “a gentleman who is always willing to share his lifetime of experience to help our neighbors in need.”  And he adds, “Mike Conaton is definitely on the Mount Rushmore of Xavier University.”

Mike and his wife, Nancy, are members of Our Lord Christ the King parish in Cincinnati.