Michael has a career in building and advising companies from across the globe which are developing or looking for sustainable solutions, including (1) growing his solar company from scratch to $100 million in annual revenue ranking 46th on the Inc 500 list of fastest-growing companies in the United States, (2) investing in and cultivating several breakthrough entrepreneurial sustainability companies, (3) helping corporations large and small in developing their ESG initiatives, and (4) launching a nonprofit organization, Heart of Waraba, to connect and support sustainable entrepreneurs globally.  He earned a lifetime achievement award for helping to make his home state a world leader in solar deployment.

He holds two Masters degrees, one in Environmental Policy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the second in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University.