A U.S. Army veteran with combat infantry service in Vietnam, Michael joined Swords to Plowshares in 1976 as a Legal Intern to help his peers access VA benefits. In 1982, he became Executive Director, and under his leadership, Swords’ annual budget grew from $75,000 to more than $30 million. Michael has a nationwide reputation for dedicated service to his fellow veterans and is a powerful authority on veterans’ services and rights. He co-founded the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies. From 2002-2007, he served on the VA Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans. During his career, he has also served on the Congressional Commission on Service Members, the California Senate Commission on Homeless Veterans, the San Francisco Mayor’s Homeless Planning Committee, the National Agent Orange Settlement Advisory Board, the Agent Orange Information Center, and the Veterans Speakers Alliance. In 2015, Michael was appointed by Speaker Pelosi to serve serve on the federal Commission on Care, examining veterans’ access to VA care. He holds a J.D. from New College of California School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley. In 2024, after 42 years as Executive Director, Michael transitioned to an emeritus role, focusing on advocacy and policy efforts to end veteran homelessness nationwide.