Michael joined Leidos Health as Vice President of Human Performance and Behavioral Health after serving as Special Envoy/Coordinator at the U.S. State Department’s Global Engagement Center, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.
During his time as a government civilian, Michael was entrusted with the most challenging issues: providing oversight of our nation’s special operations forces, spearheading the implementation of the 2010 Omnibus Caregivers Act, reorganizing the Department of Defense (DoD) POW/MIA recovery operations, leading DoD’s efforts to repatriate Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl from Taliban captivity, leading the DoD Task Force that successfully responded the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, and establishing the Global Engagement Center to counter violent extremists’ online presence, propaganda, and disinformation.
Outside of his Administration appointments, Michael had a varied background prior joining the Leidos Health Team. He served as a Principal at Neptune, CEO at Industrial Security Alliance Partners, Director of Business Development at ATI, and as a career naval officer. He is a qualified Surface Warfare Officer and a U.S. Navy SEAL, having served in every leadership position within the Teams from Platoon Commander to Team Commanding Officer, and is a veteran of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. He has received more than 40 military awards for his military service in both combat and peacetime. Michael has also been recognized twice with the Medal for Distinguished Public Service, twice with the Medal for Outstanding Public Service by DoD, and is the recipient of the Secretary of Defense Award for Excellence.
A native of San Diego, he has well established roots in Alexandria, Virginia and the U.S. Virgin Islands. A true frogman, he is an avid waterman, spearfisherman, and critter rescuer.