A native of Silver City, New Mexico, Michael has been an organizer, community activist and scientific researcher for over two decades.

Prior to joining The Wilderness Society, he was the Sierra Club's Senior Field Organizing Manager overseeing field staff in New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. Before entering the conservation field, Michael served as the Deputy for Hispanic Outreach to the Kerry/Edwards campaign and was the National Organizer for the Center for Economic Justice. Michael has received numerous awards including being selected as a Gates Millennium Scholar by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Michael is involved as a volunteer leader with numerous organizations, including serving as Board Vice President and Treasurer for Conservation Voters New Mexico Education Fund, Chair of the Recuerda a César Chávez Committee, and Board member for the New Mexico Environmental Law Center, among several others.

Michael has very deep roots in the Land of Enchantment and has strong family ties to the land and people of New Mexico. He is an avid angler and hiker and fell in love with backpacking in the Gila Wilderness as a young adult. Michael studied Biology and Anthropology at New Mexico State University and Cornell University and is TWS's New Mexico State Director.