Michael Cain

Michael Cain is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Senior Director for Argonne’s Financial Management and Procurement Services (FMPS) directorate. As CFO, Mike leads the FMPS team in providing meticulous oversight of Argonne’s financial operations, including comprehensive accounting, reporting, budgeting, and procurement functions. This includes maintaining accurate and transparent financial records, preparing insightful reports, and strategically budgeting resources to support the Lab’s mission. Mike collaborates with internal stakeholders to understand their financial and sourcing needs, providing tailored compliant solutions that enable research teams to thrive. 

Prior to becoming Chief Financial Officer, Mike served as the Deputy CFO from October 2019 to January 2024. The forward-thinking financial plans he developed have allowed the Laboratory to operate more efficiently and effectively. His work has enabled Argonne to maximize its impact on U.S. prosperity and security.

Through analysis and strategic thinking, Mike has produced creative solutions for multifaceted problems and optimized vital processes at Argonne. He has executed complex Cost Accounting Standard projects, automated customer-facing processes in Accounts Payable, and orchestrated alignment of security profiles and system accesses to enhance efficiency for all users.

An experienced leader, Mike is skilled in fostering collaboration in the workforce. By providing continuous support and feedback to his team, he cultivates individual strengths and enhances collective productivity. He also helps his team navigate changing work environments. In 2020, he seamlessly transitioned over 50 procurement specialists to a new operational framework resulting in a 50% reduction to open requisitions and increased customer satisfaction scores. Additionally, he has been a key player in negotiations with critical vendors and subcontractors interested in working with Argonne.

Mike has over 25 years of experience building, leading, and advising companies in the science, engineering, aerospace, and global defense sectors. Before joining Argonne, he worked in Oklahoma City as a U.S. Corporate Controller for Field Aerospace, an international aerospace company. He also has nearly two decades of experience with Raytheon, a global defense and aerospace company. He served as Senior Accounting Manager for one of its divisions in Texas before transitioning to Raytheon Ottawa Controller and Senior Advisor for its location in Ontario. In this role, he assisted in managing the $500-million North Warning System program transition from the 20-year incumbent to Raytheon Canada.

He received a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Texas at Dallas. Mike is a certified public accountant. Throughout his career, he has pursued continuing education. During his time with Raytheon, he participated in the Raytheon Leadership Executive Program. More recently, in 2023, he graduated from the University of Chicago’s Strategic Laboratory Leadership Program.