Since 1980, Michael has been a team-builder and motivator of various service, financial, technology, real estate and multimedia entertainment ventures by providing leadership, identifying, structuring, sharing, managing and financing opportunities to maximize investor returns. A strategic thinker, with a hands-on approach and detailed-oriented perspective, Michael is continuously learning, mentoring, listening and applying his creativity, knowledge, experience, relationships and energy to take ideas to the next level while supporting growth opportunities for others. Michael has the passion to make a difference.

Insights

It was a calm sunny summer-break day. At age seven and five in Jamaica my brother and I found a small bird, stuck in a tree in our yard. A three inch thorn ran straight through it’s chest. With feeble faint and fading chirps it spoke “help”.  We were just kids playing in the yard; or so we thought. Somehow we cut the bird down thorn intact, found razor-blade, needle and thread and began our surgery on the veranda.  Carefully we cut through its chest to expose the thorn. We skillfully removed the thorn causing the least amount of damage. We sewed up the bird and gave it some water. Moments later the bird flew away and perched itself on our fence.

I didn’t give much thought about this story until I recounted it forty years later during my brother’s eulogy. We both pursued problem solving careers as computer engineers and entrepreneurs; the joy of making the complex seem simple.  As it turns out the art of simplification has many applications. Keeping it simple, keeps it stress-free, keeps it efficient and keeps most people happy.

Additionally, the small bird was a metaphor for my continuing adventure to find ways to help illuminate what may seem small, un-achievable or the underdog by sponsoring its success. You can win sometimes; or perhaps often. You against the odds. You despite the system. You ignorant of the stats. It’s about what you believe, what you know, how you say it, how you do it. Then you win. My role: the official sponsor of your success.

It was later in life that I wondered and appreciated extending that bird’s time, even though the odds were against us. About an hour or so later we found the bird at the base of the fence. Spoon in-hand, that was its final resting place.