Michael joined the National Mediation Board as a Mediator in August 2010 with thirty years of labor relations experience in the airline industry as a labor advocate. His labor relations experience includes work in a variety of capacities including a term as President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. Prior to joining the NMB, he taught as an adjunct professor of management in the Brennan School of Business at Dominican University.

Michael earned his undergraduate degree and MBA from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. He holds a certificate in mediation from Northwestern University's School of Continuing Studies and earned an ombudsman certificate from the United States Department of Defense.