Michael earned bachelor’s degrees in history and accounting from the University of Wyoming where he also studied law. He is a certified public accountant.

After spending part of his career in public accounting specializing in fraud investigation and forensic accounting, Michael began a new career in agricultural Association Management as Director of Finance of the Almond Board of California.  Subsequently he accepted a position as the CEO of California's largest dairy producer association.  He later consulted in the Federal District Court on complex financial transaction.  Michael returned to his true passion advocating on behalf of America's farmers and ranchers at NCAE in 2017.