How I Got Here
My career hasn't followed a straight line, and I think that’s my greatest asset.
I spent a decade as an entrepreneur, building a photography brand from the ground up in Alexandria, Virginia. That taught me the "founder's grit"—the reality that no task is too small and that clear communication is the only way to scale.
From there, I moved into the heavy-duty world of the Steel Industry. Working in steel isn't just about logistics; it’s about people. I’ve spent my time on factory floors and in executive meetings, traveling to meet a diverse range of customers and raw material suppliers. This experience taught me how to speak many different "languages"—whether I'm translating a complex data set for my team internally or building rapport with a frontline crew.
Why I Pursued My Masters
While working in operations, I completed my M.S. in Applied Psychology at USC (4.0 GPA). I didn't do this just for the credentials; I did it because I wanted to understand the why behind organizational behavior. Part of this experience occurred while my wife was pregnant with our second child. SHE had to make the biggest sacrifice while I logged hours on the computer, reading texts, and working an internship at Calabrio in Minneapolis, MN.
Today, I use that degree to ensure that when I optimize a system, I’m not just moving numbers on a spreadsheet—I’m improving the actual experience of the people doing the work. I believe it has integrated well, allowing me to pivot from project manager to operations manager in my current workspace.
Current Work: Essix Resources
At Essix Resources, I’ve focused on "Optimizing Systems through People and Data."
Autonomy: I thrive in environments where I can take a high-level goal and run with it. I require very little instruction to find the "point of friction" in a process and fix it.
Impact: Recently, I leveraged statistical forecasting and lean project management to reduce overhead by 6.7%, all while improving how our remote teams integrate into the company culture.
Outside of Work
Beyond operations, I’m a published photographer (featured in Alternative Press and American Photo Magazine). I’ve traveled extensively, and those miles on the road have made me a better observer of the world. I am married with three wonderful children, and we are looking forward to setting roots in RVA.
CLIFTON STRENGTHS
Restorative: I thrive on identifying "leaks" in a process and fixing them—hence the 6.7% cost savings.
Intellection & Adaptability: I enjoy the "deep dive" into data but remain agile enough to pivot strategies as market variables shift.
Developer: I view employee engagement surveys as a tool to help individuals (and the company) reach their full potential.
Testimonials
"Michael has a rare ability to walk into a complex operational environment and find the signal in the noise. By applying rigorous statistical methods to our sales forecasting and overhead costs, he didn't just give us a report—he gave us a roadmap that saved us nearly 5% in year-one expenses." — Former Executive, Essix Resources
"What sets Michael apart is his academic foundation in Applied Psychology. He approaches organizational development as a scientist. When he built our cultural assessment framework, he moved us away from 'gut feelings' and toward a data-backed understanding of why our remote teams were struggling to integrate." — Project Lead, Organizational Development Research
“Having worked with Michael during his time in Ohio, I saw firsthand his talent for scaling a business from a solo venture to a recognized brand. He brings a founder's mindset to operations—he’s resourceful, adaptable, and understands that at the end of the day, business systems are only as good as the people running them." — Business Partner / Long-time Client