Michael was born in Martinsville, Virginia, but grew up in Arizona and upstate New York. In 1979, Michael started working at Honeywell as an intern in software development and began attending Arizona State University. When he felt a change in the direction of his life, he left Honeywell and continued his studies at ASU. Michael graduated with a B.S. degree in Psychology in 1988. After-ward, he received his Master of Divinity degree from the Divinity School of Duke University.
In 1991, Michael was ordained as a Deacon in the United Methodist Church when the annual conference was held in Las Vegas. He was later ordained as an Elder in the United Methodist Church in 1993. Thus far he has served churches in the East and South districts of the Desert Southwest Conference.
Michael helped to establish “Strength for the Journey” in the Desert Southwest Conference, a program designed to support people with HIV and AIDS. He has served on the Conference Board of Camping, Board of Church and Society, and currently serves on the Conference Board of Ordained Ministry.
In 1985, Michael met the love of his life, Alane, and they have been married for 33 years. They have two children, Kaiah and Hannah. He enjoys riding his bicycle, international travel, photography, and studying history (both
church and secular). He also finds tremendous pleasure in experiencing
God’s beautiful creation through people, camping, and hiking.