For Jordan Education Foundation Executive Director Mike Haynes, strength comes in many forms. It’s not only the weights or the dollars raised for students; it’s the determination to lift others, whether that means a struggling student, a teacher in need of support or a barbell that’s loaded with plates.

Mike didn’t initially set out to run a nonprofit, but his natural charisma, deep community ties and relentless work ethic made him a textbook choice to lead the Jordan Education Foundation, his peers said.

Jordan Education Foundation Executive Director Mike Haynes shows his persistence in the gym and in getting needed food and supplies for schoolchildren. (Photo courtesy Mike Haynes)

“Mike is amazing,” said foundation board member Corey Fairholm. “He’s doing great things. He started as a board member, and when (former executive director) Steve Hall retired, Mike said, ‘I’m going to apply for this job.’ And we said, ‘You’re the perfect person.’”

With experience serving on the Utah State Board of Education, the Uplift Families education advisory committee and the Junior Achievement of Utah board as well as being an entrepreneur, Mike has both business leadership and a commitment to service. 

“He’s outgoing; he’s got community partners and he does such a great job developing those relationships and looking for opportunities to bring money into the Foundation to help these kids,” Corey said.

Under Mike’s leadership, Jordan Education Foundation has grown in both recognition and impact. From teacher grants and outstanding educator awards to stocking principals’ pantries and supporting unified sports for students with disabilities, the Foundation impacts nearly everyone in Jordan School District.

 “Public education is a really cool industry,” Mike said. “I love to help kids; there are so many great kids.”

In the last five years, he has built hundreds of partnerships — from the Utah Jazz, Utah Mammoth, Utah Stars and Salt Lake Bees to local businesses providing food, bedding, clothing and school supplies. 

“As fast as donations come in, they’re going out,” he said. “One occasion, I had five high school students helping me with loading and unloading some food and I got asked where the food was going. After I explained, one student asked if he could take some as he was from a family of six kids and was told to find dinner at a friend’s house. He was a good kid; he hadn’t missed a day of school and was wanting to step up and help.”

For years, Jordan Education Foundation Executive Director Mike Haynes has worked out with his training buddies, Scott Mecham and Sheldon Russell. (Photo courtesy Mike Haynes)

Later, two other students in that group asked for food as well. 

Mike said one in four students in Jordan School District faces food insecurity. Through community donations, the Foundation helps with meals and essentials — and stretches every dollar to support more students.

“In the last couple years, we’ve given out 750 beds for students who have been sleeping on the floor in homes. It’s heartbreaking to see, but we’re grateful to help,” he said.

Mike and his team also ensure teachers have what they need to thrive.

“Every one of Jordan School District’s 3,600 licensed teachers can put in an annual request of $500 each,” he said. “That would mean $1.8 million; we don’t have that much. So, we need to do all we can to bring in more and more. I’m telling teachers, every nickel, no matter what it is, if you need it, ask. I don’t want money to be a reason you don’t do something that’s best for kids.”

 Those who know Mike best say his drive to lift others is as strong as his will to lift weights. 

“Mike’s amazing,” said Sheldon Russell, a West Jordan High School special education teacher. “He will meet students and will remember their name, their stories and everything about them.”

Mike began powerlifting in 1999 at age 32 when his neighbor, Carl Rogers, moved in and installed a gym in his basement.

“I’m very competitive,” Mike recalled. “So I thought, if I’m going to lift, I want to compete, so I asked, ‘how do we do this?’” 

Mike Haynes and the Jordan Education Foundation collect donations of food to fill the principal pantries in Jordan School District’s 63 schools. (Julie Slama/City Journals)

That curiosity led him to his first meet in Idaho in 2000. Since then, he’s been hooked. 

“There are rules, and it’s more technical than I thought. But that keeps the integrity in every lift,” he said. “On the other hand, powerlifting is a whole lot of fun. The people are close; they’ll be cheering for you. It’s a very cool group.”

Six years after he started, Mike remembers a defining moment.

“I remember taking the stage at Vegas, at a big hotel, walking out and seeing all those people out there. I was sitting on the edge of the bench thinking ‘there’s nothing else going on, I’m the only act on stage,’” he said. 

He benched 330 pounds in the 148-pound weight class.

“When you get your lift and the crowd goes nuts for you, that’s really cool,” he said. “And when you’re there with the right people, training guys, celebrating, it’s so much fun.”

Sheldon is one of those training partners, along with Scott Mecham. The three train together weekly; it’s become a sacred routine. 

“Everyone knows on Tuesdays, don’t call Mike. He’s not going to answer,” Sheldon said. “There’s nothing better than the bond you create. Mike’s one of my best friends. The bond happens near the iron. There’s something about the physical struggle and encouraging each other through it.”

Mike Haynes, Jordan Education Foundation and hundreds of community members come together for the annual Christmas for Kids, where volunteers are matched with Jordan School District students to shop and provide them with needed and wanted items. (Julie Slama/City Journals

After recovering from a hamstring injury, Mike plans to return soon to four days of training per week. 

Through the years, he has competed across multiple federations and states, earning several national and state titles — and also been honored as the best lifter. He served as the state chair for the World Association of Benchers and Dead Lifters.

But what Mike values most isn’t the medals — it’s the mindset. 

“There’s something about lifting when you keep beating your previous best,” he said. “It’s so contagious, you just want more of it. It’s so much more than lifting; it’s the mentality.”

For Mike, both his powerlifting and mission in education come down to perseverance. 

“There’s something about when you’re stuck in a lift, when you’re deadlifting and fighting to get that up, and people are yelling for you and you’re like, ‘I am not going to fail.’ And when you get it, there’s not a feeling like that in the world,” he said. “I’ve closed mega big deals — $100 million deals — and it’s more fun to get a PR in the gym.”

Just like in the gym, Mike sees every victory in education as an accomplishment worth celebrating and is grateful for the support. 

“Our mission is to engage the community to help provide resources that fuel success in the district,” he said. “Without community partners, a lot of what we do could never be possible.”