Michael operates a small farm on the South Fork Coquille River, with projects that include riparian restoration, pasture restoration, off-channel refugia habitat enhancement, wetland enhancement, and forest management for wildfire prevention. In addition to the Coos SWCD, he serves on the boards of the Coquille Watershed Association, Lazy Grazers Refuge, and Myrtle Point VFW. Michael works as a senior project manager at Jacobs Engineering Group, and has broad interests in cooking, science, and music.