After graduating from Downey High in 1987, Michael attended California State University Fullerton. He opened his own business in Compton, but suffered several personal setbacks, including the destruction of his store in Compton during the LA riots and the death of his grandmother. Michael moved to Spokane, WA and got a job with a trucking company to help support his family. Eighteen months later, Michael became the sales manager for the company and was immediately sought out by a trucking company in Missoula, MT that wanted his services. During his first year with the company, he brought in six million dollars in freight sales much of which was brokered to independent trucking companies and owner operators. Michael saw this as an opportunity to create his own venture and established Big Sky Specialized Carriers, Inc.
The decision to start his own trucking company changed his life. He became an independent businessman and Big Sky gave Michael endless opportunities to create his other business ventures, including Garden of Read’n, a Christian Book Store, Missoula Maulers, a Junior Hockey Team, Missoula Phoenix, a Semi Pro Football Team, and Fuel Fitness & Nutrition, three world class fitness centers located in Butte, Helena and Bozeman, MT.
Michael’s greatest passion is to promote Christian events throughout Western Montana. Michael has had the honor of meeting and working with individuals and bands such as Tim Tebow, Sarah Palin, Jeremy Camp, Steven Curtis Chapman, Mercy Me, Newsboys, Third Day, Casting Crowns, Kutless and many other contemporary Christian artists. Michael was recognized by Entrepreneur’s Hot 500 in 2007 for Big Sky’s 2006 $14.8 million in sales, and then consequently by two local newspapers, the Missoulian and the Missoula Independent.