Michael began in 2005 with a pickup truck and handwritten invoices. Within fifteen years he had expanded Nelbud to more than twenty offices nationwide and attracted private-equity partners who funded a series of strategic acquisitions. When economic shocks arrived he did not retreat. During the 2008 downturn he automated field operations and secured national contracts that exponentially grew revenue. In 2020, after a seventy-percent pandemic-related attrition, he rebuilt the model, restored volume, and delivered record earnings inside nine months.

Throughout these cycles he held firm to his Employees First, Customers Second ethos. The approach reduced acquisition costs, raised customer lifetime value, and earned seven Top Workplace awards. To institutionalize the mindset he created 4CAP, a development framework that strengthens leaders across physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual capacities, making them Capable, Able, and Prepared.

Michael serves on the boards of Polygon Composites, Freije Engineered Solutions, Lushin and Associates, and YPO Indiana, where he is Chapter Chairman. 

Away from the boardroom Michael pushes his limits through endurance challenges such as SEALFIT Kokoro, running with the bulls in Pamplona, and more.  These experiences reinforce resilience and humility. He holds a B.S. in Business from Indiana University and brings a global, adventure-driven perspective to every engagement, grounded in performance, purpose, and high standards.